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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 17.
CEEUN OE. DUG:
A GENERAL SUMMARY OF ITS HISTORY, HABITS, ENEMIES, AND OF
THE REMEDIES AND PREVENTIVES TO BE USED AGAINST IT,
By L. O. HOWARD, M. &.,
ASSISTANT ENTOMOLOGIST.
——————_ —= o >} oe ——_—-
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1888.
ea WEPARIMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 17.
PELEN CEE DUG:
A GENERAL SUMMARY OF ITS HISTORY, HABITS, ENEMIES, AND OF
THE REMEDIES AND PREVENTIVES TO BE USED AGAINST IT,
iby, 1. O:. BOW ARD, M. S..
ASSISTANT ENTOMOLOGIST.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOE,
1888.
12734—Bull. 17
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
LETT OL SWIM GUM. (Ole eeccc ed bogus Speacemoas paacHodsoEes bogEes Saoacr
JIN TPROIDUCOMIO IR? ee Mos = 85554 540 Sk Gaontteases Sos Saeaibe a Se. copech sbeeod atuoe
Reasons for publishing at present time, 5—Acknowledgments of assist-
ance, 5.
ASME SO FuNgeee as ese /cyork a)si-.cio =o ania oheimiare aut cla Sisie.eie = aieieis acto e aletn, auste wom eiaiSisie\at =
The Chinch Bug a southern rather than a northern insect, 5—Its early ap-
pearances, 6—First scientifie description, 6—The name ‘‘ Mormon louse,”
6—First recorded appearance in Missouri, lowa, Indiana, and Wiscon-
sin, 6—Damage in 1864 and 1868, 6—Estimates of loss in 1871, 6—The
great injury in 1874, 6—First accurate account of early stages, 7—In-
terest in 1881, 7—Its first injurious appearance in New York, 7—Damage
done in 1887, 7—Table of losses by States and crops, 8—Counties report-
ing loss, 9.
CROGRAPHICAT DISTRIBUTION 5.200 oa0 ee tse eae eee scot sep see ane ses see eee
In New York and New England, 10—In Canada, 10 —In the Southern States,
10—The States most injured, 10—In Cuba, 10—In California, 11—In
Mexico, 12.
RIM REANGND Ae sete ace amiss oss e Poise end on dn, onic neryneis (Snags Sa) onaioepw ais eee
The cultivated grains, 12—Wild grasses, 12—Rice, 13—Probability of a
food-plant outside of the Graminee, 13.
AG HS pOLE GROW Tet —— DS CRNE DIE eae ear ricierisatetae aeiete.n = cieteme stern: ems re ee terete
The egg, 13-—Larval stages, 13—Pupa, 14—Imago, 14—Original descrip-
tion quoted, 14—Le Baron’s description, 15—Fiteh’s varieties, 15—Riley’s
variety melanosus, 15—A new variety, 15.
NUMBE ROSE ROOMS AND ELBE R NATION: seme nl 256 setae oaetocea mea: os sciereeee
Early misconceptions, 15—First accurate statement, 15—Number of broods
south, 16—Hibernation, 16—Influence of severe cold, 17—Odor renders
hibernating places easily found, 17—Osage hedges in the West, 17.
JAS SUIS) i 2 Sie TR eR ce pe ae a ne a ae ey
Flight, 18—Oviposition, 18—Young larve, 19—Rate of growth, 19—Migra-
tions, 19—Their habits on corn, 20—Preparation for hibernation, 20—Er-
roneous statement as to oviposition, 21—Exceptional habits, 21.
NAVI AU ENE MINES JAN DEDISMASM SHE Scent eis = Aeetos 2e eo eee SS coms See
No true insect parasites, 21 —A possible hair-worm parasite, 21—The lady-
bird enemies, 22—The lace-winged fly, 22—True bugs which prey upon
it, 22—Testimony against the efficacy of lady-birds, 23—Vertebrate ene-
mies, 23—Birds, 24--Qnail laws, 24—Diseases, 25—Dr. Shimer’s account
. of the 1865 epidemic, 26—Professor Forbés’ investigations, 27—Professor
Riley’s comments, 28.
DAA EAST ELICE, AUN RUE PDENG HOD UGS) na 2-212 Se\ciaia oy siciw Sates eisic Scion bade ome
Wet weathvr inimical, 28—Professor Forbes’ experiments, 29—Comments,
29—Wet weather and disease, 29—Dr. Thomas’s theory, 30—Professor
Riley’s comments, 31—An anonymous prediction, 31—Table of tempera-
ture and rain-fall in North Carolina, 32—Records of precipitation for 1885,
1886, and 1887, in Chinch Bug States, 32.
I
12
13
15
18
21
28
II
REMEDIES AND PREVENTIVES ...---.--------------------
Early recommendations, 33—Preventives, 33—Clean cultivation, 33—Diver-
BoGus CHINCH BUGS
The False Chinch Bug, 42—The Insidious Flower-bug, 43—The Ash-gray
PIBEIOGRAPHIC AM ISD aia’ etme malate in slo a\eiatebate miele tate te = eaten
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
sified farming, 33—Rotation of crops, 34—Early sowing and manuring,
34—Rolling, 34—Sowing an unattractive crop with wheat, 35— Direct
winter remedies, 35—Burning, 35—Fall plowing and harrowing, 35—Gas
lime, 35—Trapping, 36—Trampling, 36—Direct summer remedies before mi-
gration, 36—Irrigation, 36—Burning, 37-—Prevention of migration—direct
remedies during and after migration, 388—Ditching, 38—Tarred boards or
tar alone, 38—Sowing strips of plants distasteful to the bugs around the
fields to be protected, 39—Sowing strips of favored food around the fields
to be protected, 39—Hot water and soap-suds, 39—Kerosene emulsion,
39—Professor Forbes’ experiments, 39—The Hubbard formula, 40—Major
Tucker’s experiment, 40—Professor Atkinson’s experiments, 40—Pro-
fessor Osborn’s experiments, 41—Mr. Warren’s experiment, 42.
Leaf-bug, 43—The Flea-like Negro-bug, 43—The Striped Flea-beetle, 43.
42
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTUR
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., January 3, 1888.
Srr: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 17 from
this Division, being a paper upon the Chinch Bug prepared by my first
assistant, Mr. L. O. Howard, for the forthcoming Annual Report.
There are several important, or what the late Dr. LeBaron called “ first
class,” injurious insects, like the Chinch Bug, which I have so far not
eared to treat of in the publications of the Division, because in past
years, while State Entomologist of Missouri, I had occasion to publish
pretty fully upon them and because there is little opportunity to make
further investigations or experiments upon them in the vicinity of
Washington. I have, however, endeavored to keep a record of every-
thing published in reference to them and of the advance in our knowl-
edge of improved means of controlling them. On account of the great
interest felt just now in the Chinch Bug and the prospect of injury from
it the coming summer in the Mississippi Valley, and from the fact that
the principal work to be done in preventing such injury is winter work,
I have decided, with your approval, to issue this paper in advance as a
bulletin, in order to supply the constant demand for information upon
the insect at the present time. It may be looked upon as an emer-
gency bulletin published because of the probable delay in the appear-
ance of the more bulky annual report beyond the time when the inform
ation will be useful for the coming season.
Respectfully,
C2 ¥. RiELEW.
Entomologist.
Hon. NorMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
yds si ath
sting nt
al}
arrras
‘iii
Se “ abi ia vy at ie
a ‘oy
—" agit.
renee steph INO be 3 LE Cas
(Blissus leucopterus, Say.)
Order HEMIPTERA ; family LYGA:IDz.
INTRODUCTORY.
The present treatment of the Chinch Bug offers little scope for any-
thing new or original. It is an extremely destructive species which has
been exhaustively treated by former writers and which, after several
years of comparative scarcity, has again become very injurious, so much
so as to occasion the loss of millions of dollars during the past sea-
son and to eall forth the greatest variety of comment from the press of
the country, agricultural or otherwise. In this emergency it happens
that there are no public documents for distribution and even no books
which can be purchased which treat of the life history of and remedies
for this pest. The State reports of Riley and LeBaron are out of print;
the small edition of Bulletin 5 of the U. 8S. Entomological Commission,
by Dr. Thomas, was long since exhausted ; and the recent bulletin and
circular by Forbes treat almost solely of remedies.
It becomes necessary, theretore, to bring out once more a complete
review of the subject. Previous writings, particularly those of Riley,
are freely used, and in many instances the well-known Missouri reports
of my chief are quoted at length.
Observations by Prof. Herbert Osborn, F. M. Webster, W. B. Alwood,
and Miss Mary Murtfeldt, Agents of the Division, are acknowledged as
they are used. Indebtedness to Prof. G. F. Atkinson, of Chapel Hill,
N. C., for observations made in his vicinity, is here acknowledged. The
note-books of the Division of Entomology and the extensive records for
many years collected by Professor Riley have been at my disposal.
PAST HISTORY.
It has been quite generally accepted that the Chinch Bug is, compar-
atively speaking, a Southern rather than a Northern insect, and in so
far as the matter of destructive appearances goes, this idea is well up-
held by its past history. In our section upon geographical distribu-
tion, however, we have shown that the species is by no means confined
to the more Southern States, but that it is often found north of the
5
6 THE CHINCH BUG.
boundary line, in Canada. It was first noticed, so far as we can find,
in North Carolina, at the close of the Revolutionary war, where, as has
been so often stated, it was mistaken for the Hessian fly, which at that
time was attracting considerable notice on Long Island and there-
abouts.
Dr. Fitch, in his second report, gives with some little detail an account
of its early appearances, from which we may simply state that after
this first notice the insect did considerable damage for several years in
North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia. After a short series of
seasons it was again destructive in North Carolina in 1809, so that in
Orange County the cultivation of wheat was abandoned for two years.
In 1839, in the same States, great damage was done to corn and
wheat, and in 1840 an increase in number occurred, and the wholesale
destruction of the crops was only prevented by an, exceedingly wet
season.
The first scientific description of this species was given by Say in
1831, in a pamphlet, now very scarce, published at New Harmony, Ind.,
entitled “Descriptions of new species of Heteropterous Hemiptera,”
from a single specimen collected on the eastern shore of Virginia, and
it was probably at that time rare in Indiana, where Say resided, at New
Harmony.
It attracted much attention in 1840 in Illinois when it occurred in
numbers in Hancock County, where it was supposed to have been in-
troduced by the Mormons, and was called in consequence the “* Mormon
louse.”
According to Professor Riley, the first recorded appearance of the
insect in Missouri was in 1839. It was again noticed in 1844, and has
been destructive at intervals ever since. In Iowa its first recorded ap-
pearance is in 1847, in Indiana in 1854, and in Wisconsin in 1855.
Highteen hundred and sixty-four was a year marked by damage in
these Western States. In 1868, a season of great drought, much damage
was done by the bugs in Missouri.
In 1871 great damage was done in Illinois, southern Iowa, in parts
of Indiana, in Nebraska, in southern Missouri, and Kansas. It was
estimated by Dr. LeBaron in his second Illinois report that the loss
to the wheat, oat, and barley crops during this year amounted to
$10,500,000 in Illinois alone, and in the other six States mentioned, in-
cluding Indiana, the total loss was upwards of $30,000,000.
In 1874 they occurred again in Missouri and the adjoining States in
exceptional abundance. It was during this season that Professor Riley
sent out circulars to all parts of Missouri and at the close of which he
wrote the extended article which was published in his Seventh Report
on the Insects of Missouri.
He estimated that the total loss to the group of States of which
eastern Kansas forms a center was double that of 1871. Very care-
ful estimates by counties gave an aggregate loss of $19,000,000 for
THE CHINCH BUG. <
Missouri alone, including only the three staple crops of Wheat, Corn,
and Oats. He mentions several facts which tend to show that this esti-
mate is low rather than high. In this report Professor Riley also gave
the first accurate and extended descriptions of the adolescent stages,
including the egg, and noticed the differences between the number of
joints in the tarsi in the young and the adult.
From 1874 to 1881 there were no serious irruptions of this pest, but
in this year it attracted considerable notice and did a great deal of dam-
age in some Western States. Much newspaper literature concern-
ing the insect was published during this year, much of which was
excited by Thomas’s paper upon the “ Relation of Meteorological Condi-
tions to Insect Development and Particularly to the Chinch Bug.” It
was during this year also that the ‘‘Chinch Bug convention” was held
at Windsor, Kans., and it was decided to exclude Wheat from cultiva-
tion as a means of extirpating the pest.
In 1882 the work of the bug upon timothy grass was discovered in
Saint Lawrence County, N. Y., for the first time in its history. It in-
creased and spread in 1883, exciting great alarm, and occasioned several
articles from the pen of Dr. Lintner, who also issued a circular on reme-
dies and anticipating further damage.
Professor Riley in Science (Vol. II, p. 620) and in his Report for 1884
stated that there was little cause for alarm in New York, and indeed no
particular damage has since been recorded. In 1885 some damage was
done in parts of Kansas and Nebraska, and in 1886 stillmore. Bulletin
No. 13 of the Division of Entomology contains reports of considerable
damage in the spring of 1886 from Kansas, Indiana, Ohio, and Ne-
braska and more especially in southern [linois.
During the past year (1887) the injury was marked in these States
and also in some parts of Missouri, but the interesting point in the his-
tory of this season has been the occurrence of the insect in immense
numbers in portions of Virginia and North and South Carolina for the
first time in many years. As a thorough review of the localities and
damage this season is desirable, a statement has been drawn up at my
request by Mr. J. R. Dodge, the statistician of this Department, which
is submitted herewith.
Mr. Dodge reports as follows:
In accordance with your request, I take pleasure in communicating the results of
inquiries mace relative to the geographical distribution of Chinch Bugs during the
past season, and to the extent of their destruction of growing crops.
I find indications of their presence throughout the southern and western States,
but no material injuries to crops are reported except in States bordering on the Mis-
sissippi River and the Lower Missouri. Kansas, part of Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa,
Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and eastern Minnesota include practically the tield of
their serious operations.
They attacked wheat and rye first, then barley and oats, and afterward corn, grass,
millet, sorghum, and broom-corn. As corn, wheat, and oats are the principal tilled
crops of this area, they represent the principal part of the damage.
8 THE CHINCH BUG.
In many places the fields were cleared, and small grain areas were ploughed up.
The pest came in some cases to districts that had never before been ravaged; in many
others the scourge was claimed to be more sweeping than ever before.
The insect was present in injurious numbers in nearly every county in Kansas.
Correspondents in Leavenworth, in the extreme east, and Hamilton, on the Colorado
border, gave the only negative replies. The worst damage was done in this State.
The infliction was general in Missouri, except in a belt in the central part of the
State, not very regular nor wholly untouched, trending northeasterly, and connecting
with a similar belt in Illinois.
Further north, no portion of Iowa was exempt, except the northwest corner of the
State, in proximity to areas of exemption from central Minnesota westwardly through
Dakota, and near to a similar area in northern Nebraska. In eastern Minnesota and
southern Wisconsin, however, the scourge was general and severe. In Illinois com-
parative exemption was enjoyed ina central belt running in a northeasterly direction
from Christian to Champaign, and from Adams to Bureau, fifteen to twenty counties,
in which correspondents responded in the negative as to their destructive presence.
Elsewhere the pest was nearly universal. :
The southwestern corner of Indiana was alive with Chinch Bugs; elsewhere, though
present in much of the area, only about a dozen counties estimated any material
losses. They were still scarcer in Michigan. Only ten counties in Ohio reported
their injurious presence; and a few only in Kentucky indicated material damage.
These insects are reported as more or less injurious in every season of drought and
scarce or absent in all wet areas. In the area of their depredations the crops have
an annual value of more than a fourth of the entire agricultural production of the
United States, and a value nearly four times as great as that of the cotton crop.
It will readily be seen that the losses must be heavy, undoubtedly greater than those
of all other insects together, as no such values are involved in other crops subject to
insect depredations the past year.
The following table has been prepared from data, severely scrutinized, revised, and
accurately consolidated. It makes a large sum, and yet does not comprise all the
damage done to barley and rye, millet, etc., all of which might be approximately
stated in round numbers as $60,000,000. The record by States is as follows:
Corn. Wheat. Oats.
States. seer
Bushels. Value. | Bushels. “Bosbels. | Vatae, Value. Bushels. Value.
tee = 2
Kentucky 983,280 | $521, 188 66, 678 $48,675 li Soca. cae BER Smee ses
MIO ese nce ce et 885, 564 425, O71 215, 370 161, 528 60, 196 $19, 263
Indiana ....... ---| 1,785, 000 | 803, 250 | 453, 936 326. 834 167, 658 48, 621
Illinois...... ----| 16,929,600 | 6, 941, 136 | 5, 529, 150 3 870, 405 3, 810, 310 1, 028, 784
Wisconsin | 1, 804, 250 757, 785 | 3,004, 490 1,922) 874 | 1, 742, 750 487, 970
Minnesota 2,169, 720 | 802, 796 | 9, 074. 750 5, 354, 103 | 2, 438, 160 633, 922
TL Oconee ee oe 22,020,240 | 7,707,084 | 6,977,620 | 4,256,348 | 4,462,920 1,071,101
IMUANOMIT 53,2 noscas~ ence ese: 15, 504, 390 5, 736, 624 1, 664, 640 il 032, 077 795, 860 206, 924
LCE E: ps I RS BN 16, 840, 340 6, 230, 926 | 2, 282, 100 | rs 392, 081 6, 406, 560 2, 438, 497
otal? 12 5. ues Sere tare 78, 922, 384 | 29, 925, 810 | 29, 268, 734 | 18, 364, 925 | 19, 884,414 | 5, 935, 082
|
Respectfully,
J. R. DODGE,
Statistician.
Accompanying these statements of Mr. Dodge were a number of
State maps indicating the counties reporting to the Department damage
from the Chinch Bug. Many other localities had Chinch Bugs in abund-
ance and considerable damage was done in States not represented in
THE CHINCH BUG. 9
this list. These localities, however, are authoritative, and their reports
furnished the main basis for the table which precedes. We may sum-
marize these briefly as follows:
Illinois, fifty-one counties, as follows: Stephenson, Winnebago, Lake, Carroll, Lee,
Kendall, Will, La Salle, Rock, Mercer, Warren, Stark, Iroquois, Vermillion, Edgar,
Douglas, Coles, Moultrie, Shelby, Cumberland, Clark, Jasper, Effingham, Fayette,
Bond, Madison, Macoupin, Greene, Pike, Jersey, Saint Clair, Clinton, Washington,
Marion, Clay, Lawrence, Wabash, Edwards, White, Hamilton, Franklin, Randolph,
Jackson, Williamson, Saline, Gallatin, Johnson, Pope, Hardin, Massac, and Alexander.
Indiana, twenty-five counties, as follows: Elkhart, Jasper, White, Huntington,
Wells, Blackford, Jay, Warren, Montgomery, Wayne, Shelby, Johnson, Sullivan,
Greene, Dearborn, Knox, Martin, Ohio, Gibson, Pike, Dubois, Posey, Vanderburgh,
Warrick, and Spencer.
Iowa, sixty-one counties, as follows: Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Howard, Win-
neshick, Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Chickasaw, Floyd, Cerro Gordo, Hancock,
Palo Alto, Pocahontas, Humboldt, Franklin, Dubuque, Buchanan, Grundy, Hamilton,
Webster, Calhoun, Sac, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Story, Marshall, Tama, Benton,
Linn, Jackson, Clinton, Scott, Muscatine, Iowa, Jasper, Dallas, Guthrie, Audubon,
Shelby, Madison, Mahaska, Keokuk, Des Moines, Henry, Monroe, Lucas, Union,
Adams, Montgomery. Mills, Fremont, Page, Taylor, Decatur, Wayne, Appanoose,
Davis, Van Buren, Lee.
Kansas, sixty-three counties, as follows: Cheyenne, Rawlins, Norton, Phillips,
Jewell, Washington, Marshall, Nemaha, Brown, Wyandotte, Jefferson, Jackson,
Shawnee, Douglas, Pottawatomie, Riley, Wabaunsee, Davis, Clay, Cloud, Mitchell,
Rooks, Graham, Sheridan, Thomas, Sherman, Gove, Russell, Lincoln, Ottawa, Ells-
worth, Saline, Dickinson, Morris, Osage, Franklin, Miami, Linn, Anderson, Coffey,
Chase, Marion, McPherson, Rice, Barton, Rush, Ness, Lane, Scott, Ford, Pawnee,
Stafford, Reno, Sedgwick, Allen, Neosho, Cherokee, Labette, Chatauqua, Cowley,
Sumner, Barbour, Comanche.
Kentucky, eight counties, as follows: Carroll, Pendleton, Bracken, Estill, Mercer,
Union, Ballard, Marshall.
Michigan, five counties, as follows: Manitou, Presque Isle, Saginaw, Shiawassee,
Saint Joseph.
Minnesota, twenty-seven counties, as follows: Hubbard, Wadena, Todd, Crow Wing,
Kanabec, Pine, Isanti, Chisago, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Carver, Scott, Rice, Wa-
basha, Winona, Olmstead, Dodge, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, Martin, Faribault,
Freeborn, Mower, Fillmore, and Houston.
Missouri, sixty counties, as follows: Atchison, Nodaway, Holt, Worth, Gentry, Har-
rison, Mercer, Putnam, Sullivan, Adair, Linn, Clinton, Caldwell, Ray, Chariton, Ran-
dolph, Lincoln, Saint Charles, Callaway, Copper, Johnson, Cass, Bates, Henry, Saint
Clair, Hickory, Osage, Maries, Gasconade, Franklin, Jefferson, Washington, Sainte
Genevieve, Perry, Iron, Bollinger, Cape Girardeau, Mississippi, New Madrid, Butler,
Wayne, Oregon, Shannon, Pulaski, Laclede, Wright, Douglas, Ozark, Christian, Web-
. ster, Dallas, Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, Barton, Lawrence, Barry, Newton, and Mc-
Donald.
Ohio, ten counties, as follows: Defiance, Wood, Geauga, Allen, Shelby, Darke, Frank-
lin, Fairfield, Meigs, and Gallia.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.
East of the Rocky Mountains the Chinch Bug seems to be indigenous
North and South, feeding naturally upon various species of wild grasses
and becoming multiplied wherever the cultivation of wheat has reached
its original haunts.
10 THE CHINCH BUG.
It was first noticed, as stated in the last section, in North Carolina,
and Say’s original description was published from a Virginia specimen.
Fitch records the fact that he had collected specimens in New York,
but that it was exceedingly rare. Signoret also records it from New
York, and, as we have just shown, it appeared in 1883 in destructive
numbers in the northern part of this State. Harris in the first edition
of his well-known work states that it does not occur in New England,
but in a foot-note to his second edition states that while the sheet was
passing through the press he discovered a single specimen in his own
garden at Cambridge (June 17, 1852). And in 1883, according to Dr.
George Dimmock (Psyche, November, December, 1883, p. 119), the
lowland between Belmont and Cambridge was swarming with them.
They have also been collected by Dr. Packard at Salem, Mass., in Maine,
and at the summit of Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Dr.
Lintner records the fact that Mr. H. L. Fernald captured one or more
specimens in 1879, 1880, and 1882, at Orono, Me.
In Canada they occurred at Grimsby, Ontario, in 1866, and were sent
from that point in that year to Mr. Walsh. Mr. W. Hs, Harrington col-
lected specimens found abundantly at Sydney, Cape Breton (N. lat. 46°
18’) in September, 1884 (Can. Ent., November, 1884, p. 218). Dr. Fitch
received specimens from western Pennsylvania, and also stated that it
was sent him from Mississippi with the information that in sume years
it damaged the crops of Indian corn. We have found it personally in
considerable numbers in the rice fields near Savannah, Ga., and Mr. EB.
A. Schwarz and others have collected itin Florida. In the latter State
Mr. Schwarz found it very abundantly at Biscayne Bay, breeding in
the wingless form only in considerable numbers upon Sand Oats (Uni-
ola paniculata). Mr. Webster has noticed it in Mississippi and Louisi-
ana. It has also been collected in this same form, upon the same
plant, on the sea-shore at Fortress Monroe, Va., by Messrs. Schwarz
and Heidemann. The States, however, in which it does the greatest
damage’ are Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Indiana,
Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, southern Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri,
Kansas, and Nebraska. Uhlerrecords the species from Texas, Califor-
nia, Kansas, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and
generally throughout the Atlantic region.
Outside of the United States it is recorded only from Cuba (see
-Signoret ‘‘ Essai Monographique du Genre Micropus, Spinola ;” Ann.
Soc. Ent. France, V, 3d series, 1857, p. 31), and the Cuban individuals
are long-winged, while Mr. Schwarz never found a long-winged indi-
vidual in Florida, in spite of the fact that he has collected in localities
the insect fauna of which is in the main Cuban. This observation con-
flicts with the general observation of Mr. Uhler that the short-winged
form seems to be more common in New England than in the Southern
States.
The only authentic published record of the occurrence of the Chinch Bug
west of the Rocky Mountains is the mere mention by Uhler, in his list of
THE CHINCH BUG. Tt
the Hemiptera of the region west of the Mississippi River (Bull. Hayden
Surv. I, 306), of California as one of the States which it inhabits, but
this record has been overlooked by Californians. Its advent upon the
Pacific slope has been expected and dreaded. Matthew Cooke in his
book, published in 1883, npon injurious insects of the Orchard, Vine-
yard, etc., figured and described it, and under the head of ‘‘ Remedies ”
wrote, “Should the pest appear in this State it can be prevented,” ete.
— In June, 1885, there were several newspaper reports on the occurrence
of this insect in great numbers in California. Toe San Francisco Even-
ing Post for June 23, 1885, quoting from the Woodland Democrat, pub-
lished the statement:
Messrs. Frazee and Henderson, who live southwest of Woodland, brought to this
office a bottle of this pestiferous insect (chinch bug) on Tuesday. Mr. Henderson
says that he recognized them as the same eastern variety that frequently does so
much injury to wheat in Missonri. These gentlemen say they discovered the bugs
traveling between the lands of Day and Clanton. There are millions of them, but as
to the extent of country covered they are unable to say. The bugsare nearly grown
and are just beginning to have wings. As soon as the wings develop they fly and
scatter everywhere. Mr. Frazee says there is no danger from them this year as the
grain is too far advanced.
So far this item seems very plausible, but it goes on to state “ that
another gentleman had noticed them injuring grape-vines” which of
course introduces a probability of wrong identification.
There is no question, however, but that the Chinch Bug is to be found at
present in California, but there is no assurance of its existence in injuri-
ous numbers. Our certainty as to its presence arises from the fact that
a single specimen of a short-winged variety of this insect is among a lot
collected in the vicinity of San Francisco in 1885 by Mr. Koebele. It
is unquestionably a true Chinch Bug. Another specimen of the same
variety was collected in 1884 by some students of Johns Hopkins Uni-
versity who summered in California and was given to Mr. Lugger, of
this Division, who was at that time connected with the University.
Recent communications from California in answer to inquiries on this
point show that the insect is not known to the entomologists in that
State. The False Chinch Bug (Nysius angustatus) has been, we learn
from Mr. Koebele, very destructive to grapes in that State the past sea-
son, and it is more than likely that this is the insect referred to in the
newspaper article justquoted. Mr. Koebele writes that the False Chinch
was so abundant around Alameda in July that in an old road at least
50 specimens could be counted under each plant of Polygonum aviculare.
He made, in 1887, a most careful search of the locality in which he found
the 1885 specimen, but could not find a single additional individual.
He also examined the large collection of Hemiptera in the California
Academy of Sciences without success. The following paragraph is from
Mr. Coquiliett’s answer to our inquiries:
I have never met with the Chinch Bug in any part of California that I have visited—
neither in Merced County, around the city of Sacramento, nor on the southern part of
12 THE CHINCH BUG.
the State, where I have collected Hemiptera extensively with the sweep-net. Dr.
Rivers, curator of the museum at our State University, writes me that three years
ago he took three specimens of a bug that looked much like the Chinch Bug, but was
darker and smaller, and he does not believe that they belonged to this species; they
were taken in Sonoma County, and were sent off, he knows not where. He has col-
lected Hemiptera extensively since then, but the Chinch Bug is not among them.
Mr. Wickson, editor of the Pacific Rural Press, writes me that he has ‘‘ never seen a
specimen nor heard of one as being recognized by an observer whom I would con-
sider as capable of recognizing the insect.”
Since writing the above we have learned trom Mr. Ubler that he has
seen specimens of the Chinch Bug from California of along winged form,
which were collected near San Francisco, probably by Mr. Henry Ed-
wards. He has also seen specimens from Cuba and from Tamaulipas,
Mexico.
FOOD PLANTS. -
The Chinch Bug willfeed upon all grains and grasses so far as known.
The most prominent crops which are seriously injured are Wheat, Barley,
and Indian Corn. The testimony in regard to Oats is conflicting, but
Le Baron’s conclusion to the effect that “if this grain be sown where
Chineh Bugs abound, and especially if it is sown exclusively, it. will be
damaged to a greater or less extent the first year, but that the bugs will
probably not continue to breed in it to any great extent in succeeding
years” is unquestionably correct. Broom-corn, Sorghum, Chicken-corn,
Hungarian grass, Millet, Rye, Rice, Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon),
Fox-tail grass (Setaria glauca), Timothy (Phloeum pratense), Blue-grass
(Poa pratensis), Crab-grass (Panicum sanguinale), Bottle-grass (Setaria
viridis), and all of our wild grasses, so far as known, are attacked, but
beyond these no food plant has ever been authentically recorded. Re-
ports of damage done to other crops, such as grape-vines and garden
crops, are the result of mistaken identity, and an error in the compila-
tion of Packard’s Guide to the Study of Insects has doubtless done much
to perpetuate the idea that this insect is a more general feeder. This
was corrected in the later editions of this work, probably at the sug-
gestion in Professor Riley’s criticism in his 7th Rept. Ins. Mo., p. 26.
Upon the Sand Oats (Uniola paniculata) in Florida Mr. Schwarz no-
ticed that the entire development of the insect is undergone upon the
highest part of this tall plant and not close to the bottom as in our lat-
itude. The probable reason for. this, as he has pointed out, is, that
the strong winds are continually blowing fine, sharp sand through the
lower parts of the plants, rendering it impossible for the bugs to remain
at these places and forcing them to seek their nourishment higher up.
Concerning Timothy and the Crab-grasses Professor Forbes says:
It seems to prefer timothy to blue-grass, not really relishing either as a general
thing, and takes to the crab-grasses (Punicum) not at all, or only as a last resort.
(Bull. No. 2, State Ent. Il.)
This generalization is undoubtedy correct for Illinois and the sur-
rounding States, but, as Professor Forbes himself points out in a foot-
THE CHINCH BUG. 13
note, the bugs did great damage to Timothy in northern New York in
1883, and the following extract from a letter recently received from
Professor Atkinson, of North Carolina, indicates that in that State at
least the Crab-grass becomes an important item of the insect’s diet.
* * * Thave recently discovered that at this season of the year (October 2) the
chinch bug feeds on the “ crab-grass ” so common in cultivated and waste places,
and especially so abundant in many of the corn-fields after cultivation has ceased.
The chinch bug must go to grass after the corn becomes mature and no longer yields.
the sap. I have found the bugs inside thesheath and clear evidence of their having
punctured the culm. No doubt this grass affords them subsistence fur quite a period
of time and then shelter for the winter. * * * Ihave found within the past few
days pup or wingless individuals on the crab-grass. * * *
Referring again to Timothy we may state that a meadow of this grass
on the farm of J. F. Whiton, near Wakeman, Huron County, Ohio, was
injured considerably by the bugs in 1886. Professor Forbes,. however
(Bull. 2), gives an instance where sowing Timothy with Fall Wheat
was probabably the cause of the salvation of the crop.
On cultivated Rice we found Chinch Bugs very generally scattered
throughout the large rice-fields near Savannah, Ga., in August, 1881.
Only adult specimens were found at that time and all were fully winged,
and were found upon the heads of the grain, to which they had proba-
bly flown, as the fields had been flooded for some time previously. No
particular damage to the crop was perceptible, unless their punctures
contribute to bring about the disease known as “ white blast,” as sug-
gested by Pr ofessor Riley in his Annual Report for 188182, page 137.
We shall probably be obliged to widen our close restriction of the
Chinch Bug food plants, to admit at least one of the Polygonums. A
chance statement by Mr. Bruner that he had known this insect to feed
upon the so called *‘ Wild Buckwheat” in Nebraska led to a letter of
close inquiry, to which he replied that there can be no mistake and that
the plant is either Polygonum dumetorum, or P. convolvulus.
STAGES OF GROWTH—DESCRIPTIVE.
The following descriptive matter is from Professor Riley’s Seventh
Report on the Insects of Missouri, and is fuller and more careful than
that published elsewhere. It will be noticed that there are three larval
stages, necessitating two molts before the pupa and three before the
adult. It will also be noticed that the larve have but two joints to
the feet, while the adults have three :
The Egg.—(F¥ig. la, b.) Average length 0.03 inch, elongate oval, the diameter
scarcely one-fifth the length. The top squarely docked, and surmounted with four
small rounded tubercles near the center. Color when newly laid, pale-and whitish
and translucent, acquiring with age an amber color, and finally showing the red parts
of the embryo, and especially the eyes toward the tubercled end. The size increases
somewhat after deposition, and will sometimes reach near 0.04 in length.
Larval Stages.—The newly-hatched larva (Fig. 1c) is pale yellow, with simply an
orange stain on the middle of the three larger abdominal joints. The form scarcely
at THE CHINCH BUG.
differs from that of the mature bug, being but slightly more elongate; but the tarsi
have but two joints (Fig. 4d), and the head is relatively broader and more rounded,
while the joints of body are sub-equal, the prothoracic joint being but slightly longer
than any of the rest. The red color soon pervades the whole body, except the first
two abdominal joints, which remain yellowish, and the members, which remain pale.
After the first molt (Fig. le) the red is quite bright vermilion, contrasting strongly
with the pale band across the middle of the body, the prothoracic joint is relatively
longer, and the metathoracic relatively shorter. The head and prothorax are dusky
and coriaceous, and two broad marks on mesothorax, two smaller ones on metathorax,
two on the fourth and fifth abdominal sutures, and one at tip of abdomen are gen-
erally visible, but sometimes obsolete; the third and fourth joints of antennx are
dusky, but the legs still pale. After the second molt (Fig. 1f) the head and thorax are
quite dusky, and the abdomen duller red, but the pale transverse band is still dis-
tinct; the wing-pads become apparent, the members are more dusky, there is a dark
red shade on the fourth and fifth abdominal joints, and, ventrally, a distinct circular
dusky spot covering the last three joints.
Fig. 1.
IMMATURE STAGES OF CHINCH Buc. —a, b, eggs; c, newly-hatched larva; d, its tarsus; e, larva after
first molt; f, same after second molt; g, pupa—the natural sizes indicated at sides ; hk, enlarged leg of
perfect bug; j, tarsus of same still more enlarged ; i, proboscis or beak, enlarged.—[ After Riley. ]
Pupa.—(Fig. 1,9.) In the pupa the coriaceous parts are brown-black, the wing-
pads extend almost across the two pale abdominal joints which are now more dingy,
while the general color of the abdomen is dingy gray; the body above is slightly
pubescent, the members are colored as inthe mature bug; the three-jointed tarsus is
foreshadowed, and the dark horny spots at tip of abdomen, both above and below,
are larger. ; ;
Imago.—(Fig. 2.) The perfect insect has been well described
[Fic. 2.] and I will append the original description:
Lygaeus leucopterus (Chinch Bug). Blackish; hemelytra
white, with a black spot.
Inhabits Virginia.
Body long, blackish, with numerous hairs. Antenne,
rather short hairs; second joint yellowish, longer than the
third; ultimate joint rather longer than the second, thickest;
thorax tinged cinereous before, with the basal edge piceous;
hemelytra white, with a blackish ovalspot on the lateral mid-
dle; rostrum and feet honey yellow; thighs a little dilated.
Length less than three-twentieths of an inch.
I took a single specimen on the eastern shore of Virginia.
t The whiteness of the hemelytra, in which is a blackish
spot strongly contrasted distinguishes this species readily
Onmouye; Haltineyn (Say, Am. Entomology, I, p. 929), et
ral size. [After Riley.] | The above description originally appeared in 1832 in a pam-
phlet entitled ‘“‘Descriptions of new species of Heteropterous
Hemiptera of N, A.”
THE CHINCH BUG. 15
Length 1} lines, of three-twentieths of an inch. Body black, clothed with a very
fine grayish down, not distinctly visible to the naked eye; basal joint of the antenne
honey yellow ; second joint of the same tipped with black; third and fourth joints,
black ; beak brown; wings and wing-cases white; the latter are black at their in-
sertion, and have near the middle two short irregular black lines, and a conspicuous
black marginal spot; legs dark honey yellow, terminal joint of the feet, and the
claws black. (Dr. Wm. LeBaron in the Prairie Farmer for September, 1850, Vol. X,
pp. 280, 281, where the name of Rhyparochromus devastator is proposed for it.)
Dr. Fitch also enumerates the following varieties of this insect : as
a, immarginatus.—Basal margin of the thorax not edged with yellowish. Common.
b, dimidiatus.—Basal half of the thorax deep velvety black, anterior half grayish.
Comn on.
c, fulvivenosus.—The stripes on the wing-covers tawny yellow instead of black.
d, albivenosus.—Wing-covers white, without any black marks except the marginal
spot. A male.
e, apterus.—Wingless and the wing-covers much shorter than the abdomen. (Fig.3.)
f, basalis.—Basal joint of the antenne dusky and darker
than the second. (Fic. 3.]
g, nigricornis.—T wo first joints of the antenne blackish.
h, femoratus.—Legs pale livid yellow, the thighs tawny red.
Common.
i, rufipedis.—Legs dark tawny red or reddish brown.
To these varieties, all of which occur with us, I would
add one which may be known as melanosus, in which the
normal white of the wings is quite dusky, and contains addi-
tional black marks at base and toward tip, and in which all
the members and the body except the rufous hind edge of
thorax are jet black.
In addition te these varieties mentioned by Dr.
Riley, an interesting form has been collected by Mr.
E. A. Schwarz at Lake Worth, Fla., and by Mr. O. Shemp ingen, Caiey
Heidemann at Fortress Monroe, Va. This variety
is at once distinguished from other short-winged varieties by its more
slender and pointed wing-pads, and by the color of the antenne, the first
three joints of which are honey yellow, while the last joint or club is
nearly black. It seems also to be more thickly clothed with silvery
pile, but this is probably due to the fact that the specimens studied were
mounted dry, while all others which I have seen have evidently been
placed in alcohol. This variety, so far as we know, has been collected
on the sea-shore only.
: NUMBER OF BROODS AND HIBERNATION.
For many years there existed a misconception concerning the number
of broods of insects in the West. It was always understood that there
was more than one brood, and some newspaper writers insisted that
there are as many as five or sixannual generations. Professor Riley, in
the Practical Entomologist, Vol. I (March 26, 1866), was first to publish
the definite statement that the Chinch Bug is two-brooded in northern
Illinois, and Dr. Shimer the succeeding year published the same state-
16 THE CHINCH BUG.
ment from his own observations. This number of annual generations
holds through the entire northwest and as far south, certainly, as the
latitude of Saint Louis. Thomas states that there is some evidence of an
occasional third brood in the extreme southern part of Illinois and in
Kentucky, but that itis not sufficient to justify him in stating it as a
fact, or to satisfy him of its correctness. In North Carolina there seems
no question but that the second generation gave birth to still a third,
which, as we are informed by Professor Atkinson of Chapel Hill, was
found in a half-grown condition on Crab-grass about the 1st of Octo-
ber. November 17 most of the specimens found in the same locations
were full-grown. This third generation probably hibernates in the adult
condition. ;
The Chinch Bug passes the winter in the perfect state. As cold
weather approaches, most of the full-grown bugs leave the hardened
corn-stalks or wild grasses upon which they have been attempting to
feed, and seek some convenient shelter in which to pass the winter. They
collect in fence cracks, in sheds, hay stacks, straw stacks, corn-shucks,
under leaves, mulching, and rubbish of all kinds upon the ground, under
the loose bark of adjacent trees, in stumps and logs, under stones and
clods of earth, in fact in any situation which will offer shelter. They
seem to prefer dry situations. Bunches of old dead grass and weeds offer
them a particularly attractive place for hibernation. Professor Atkin-
son writes us that the Crab-grass in North Carolina not only affords the
bugs sustenance after the corn-stalks harden, but also gives them shel-
ter for the winter, as they work their way down between the leaf-sheath
and the stalk. Mr. J.O. Alwood writes us from Columbus, Ohio, that,
October 26, 1887, he observed them lying torpid within the leaf-sheaths
of an uncut field of Pearl Millet. During cold weather they remain tor-
pid. On a warm, sunshiny day they will stretch their legs and begin
to move about to a slight extent; but as the cold becomes severe they
press back deeper into their hiding places. They can withstand the
severest cold, and in fact, as with so many other hibernating insects,
the more sustained the cold weather the more the insects winter
successfully. An instance is related by a reliable correspondent of
Dr. Thomas’ in which the bugs frozen into ice were thawed and
when warm manifested signs of life, crawling about as in the spring.
Dr. Shimer’s observations upon this point are sufficiently interesting to
quote:
After the early autumn frosts they left their feeding-grounds on foot in search of
winter quarters ; none could be seen on the wing as at harvest time. For a winter
retreat they resorted to any convenient shelter they might chance to find, as long
grass, weeds, boards, pieces of wood, rails, fallen-tree leaves, ete.
In January, 1865, I next examined their condition. Those that I found in the
sheaths of the corn-leaves above the snow, and had been thus exposed during the pre-
vious severe weather—when for several days the thermometer was 15° to 20° below
zero—were invariably found dead without exception, and those beneath the snow
THE CHINCH BUG. 17
were alive. This observation was made in the common farm corn-fields, as they
might be found anywhere all over the wide country, for in autumn the chinch bugs
remained in great numbers in the corn-husks and under the sheaths of the blades as
wellas in other winter retreats. Upon various occasions, as the winter advanced, I
brought in corn-husks filled with ice, inclosing the chinch bugs in the crystallized
element; when the ice was thawed they were able to run, apparently unaffected by
that degree of cold. Itis therefore proved that these insects possess vitality suffi-
cient to withstand the effect of a temperature below the freezing-point, and perhaps
below zero, as must have been their condition in these ice-bound husks; but when in
the open air, exposed to the sweeping prairie winds, 15° to 20° degrees below zero,
for a long time, they succumb to the cold..
March 7, 1865, the snow having cleared off from the ground, I examined the condi-
tion of a host of these chinch bugs that had chosen for their winter covering cord-
wood sticks lying on the ground, entirely surrounded by frost and ice ; of these 20 per
cent. were living; those that were more fortunate in their selection of winter quarters
fared much better. From a single handful of leaves picked up at one grasp from be-
neath an appie tree I obtained 335 living and 312 dead chinch bugs; and of their lady-
bird enemies that had entered the same winter quarters with them, 50 were living
and 10 dead. Of these chinch bugs I placed a number in comfortable quarters in the
house in a small pasteboard box, not in a stove room, together with some coleopterous
insects casually gathered among the chinch bugs; after one month I found the latter
all dead and the former living.
The entire month of March was rain, snow, thawing, freezing, alternately, seeming
to be very uncomfortable for any living creature to remain out of doors with so poor
a shelter and on top of the ground.
April 1-6, I again made repeated examinations of these chinch bugs in their winter
quarters, and found about the same proportions of them living as noted on the 7th
of March. At this time they wandered away on foot from their winter quarters.
Mr. G. A. Waters, in the Farmers’ Review for October 19, 1887, gives.
the following interesting observation bearing on the same point:
In 1881-82 I observed a bunch of fodder that had fallen into a ditch that the heavy
rains had washed near by a shock. The fodder had been overflowed with water,,
which had stood over the fodder long enough for a sheet of ice to form over it. The
water subsiding in a few days and some thaw occurring, I pulled the stalks out
of the mud to get the ears of corn off, and in husking the ears found quite a number
of chinch bugs which had been immersed for a week or more. On exposing them to-
the warm sun they crawled around lively.
Where they are hibernating in numbers they can often be detected
more readily by their strong “ bed-buggy” odor than by sight, as was
pointed out by Dr. Riley. Dr. Lintner, in October, 1883, found this
method of searching for them more convenient and infallible than look-
ing for them.
Mr. Bruner calls our attention to the fact that the Osage and other
brushy hedges in the West are great collectors of leaves and trash
blown there by winds, and that they form exceptionally good hibernat-
ing places for the Chinch Bugs, which take advantage of them in great
numbers. So great a nuisance are the hedges from this point of view,
that Mr. Bruner seriously advocates their gradual removal and the sub-
stitution of a less compact division between fields.
12734—Bull. 17 2
18 THE CHINCH BUG.
HABITS.
With the warm days of spring the hibernating individuals issue from
their winter quarters and copulate. Dr. Shimer has described a love-
flight which he noticed at this time. The date was May 16, 1865, and
the atmosphere was swarming with Chinch Bugs on the wing. As
shown by Walsh and Riley (Am. Ent., I, 173) it is probable that this
occurrence was exceptional, and that the insects do not normally mate
in this way; that the swarming flight was the result of a great abun-
dance of the insects. The insect flies in spring and fall, and also some-
what in late July and early August, as the first brood becomes winged.
In the fall they attain wings as the corn hardens, and their flight is
then the result of a starvation impulse. In July and August the flight
of the fledged individuals of the first brood is not yery common, except
when they occur in exceptionally great numbers. During the past sea-
son Professor Osborn observed them coupling at Ames prior to July
‘25, while upon this date he observed them swarming in the air, flying
past his window in immense numbers and with the wind (southeast to
northwest). They were first noticed shortly after 1 p.m. July 27
they were again noticed on the wing, but not in such great numbers as
before. They were flying with the wind, from northwest to southeast.
August 3 hosts of them were observed on the wing, while others were
coupling on the ground. Others were observed coupling as late as
August 16. The majority of the hibernating individuals seem, from
the evidence, to copulate in the spring and without flying, but, accord-
ing to Professor Riley, many of them make love in the fall preparatory
to seeking winter quarters, and Mr. James O. Alwood, of Columbus,
Ohio, writes that he found them copulating in a ficld of uneut Pearl
Millet at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station as late as October
27, 1887.
The eggs of the Chinch Bug, which we have already described, and
which are figured at Fig. 1, a, b, are laid in the spring for the first
brood, and usually underground and upon the roots of plants infested.
They are, however, often found above ground upon the withered
sheaths near the bases of the grain stalks or often upon the blades of
theleaves. They are deposited in small clusters. Professor Riley says:
A wheat plant pulled from an infested field in the spring of the year will gener-
ally reveal hundreds of these eggs attached to the roots, and at a somewhat later
period the yonng larvx will be found clustering on the same and looking like so many
moving atoms.
The eggs are not specially small when we consider the small size of
the female which lays them. Dr. Shimer says that each female lays 500,
and this seems very large until we reflect that they are not all deposited
at once, and that after the laying of the first few others are probably
developing in the ovaries, for the process of oviposition occupies from
ten days to three weeks. It has long been known that the eggs were laid
in the ground, although an accurate description was much more recently
THE CHINCH BUG. 19
drawn up. The relative abundance of the eggs upon the stalks and
upon the roots may be changed somewhat, as Dr. Thomas has pointed
out, by the character of the soil. Where the soil is very damp the
majority of the eggs are doubtless laid upon the stalks, whereas if the
earth is dry and easily penetrated the great majority of them will
be found upon the rootlets and upon the stalks beneath the ground.
According to Professor Riley the eggs hatch on the average in two
weeks. The young larve begin to take nourishment as soon as possi-
ble after hatching. They insert their beaks sometimes even before they
emerge from the earth, but more often crawl up the stalk before be-
ginning to pump. They growl with considerable rapidity and swarm
over the stalk upon which they were born, walking about with ease
and wandering from one stalk to another if occasion demands. As we
have already shown, four molts are undergone before the insect reaches
the perfect state, and generally from five to seven weeks elapse from
thehatching tothe final molt. Dr. Shimer’s repeated observations show
that at Mount Carrcll, [lL., the imago usually appears in from fifty-
seven to sixty days after the laying of the eggs, and about forty-two days
from the hatching of the larve. By the time the majority of theinsects
of this first generation are full-grown, or even before, the wheat has
become too hard to offer them much nourishment, or harvest time has
arrived, and they begin to migrate in search of food. Neighboring corn-
fields offer a more tempting diet, and in seasons of great abundance
they march in numerous colonies, moving by a common impulse from the
wheat to the corn. Strange to say, although the commoner form pos-
sesses wings the insect does not generally take flight, but prefers to walk
along the ground. Occasionally, however, at this time they take wings
and scatter. This, however, is rarer when the insects are plentiful than
when they are comparatively scarce. Under no circumstances will
these insects take flight to escape danger. Dr. Shimer says:
No threatening danger, however imminent, whether of being driven over by grain-
reapers, wagons, or of being trodden under foot, will prompt it to use its wings to es-
cape. I have tried all imaginable ways to induce them to fly, as by thrashing among
them with bundles of rods or grass, by gathering them up and letting them fall from
a height, etc., but they invariably refused entirely to use their wings in escaping from
danger. :
The migration takes place often, and, according to some authors,
usually before the majority of the brood have attained full growth.
There are always many immature individuals among a large host, and
often the army is composed almost entirely of such. In fact, at these
times there is apt to be a general confusion of so-called larva, pupe,
and adults, owing to the fact that some hibernating females oviposit
much in advance of others and to the other fact, previously mentioned,
that a single female takes several days or even weeks to lay all of her
eggs. Professor Forbes records egg-laying presumably by hibernating
individuals from the last week in May (at Decatur) until the last week in
June (at Warsaw), thus making certain individuals of the first brood one
20 THE CHINCH BUG.
month later in development’ than others, in two localities not far distant
(140 miles) and of about the same latitude. There are many accounts
in print which are almost incredible tales of the size of these migrating
hordes, and yet they are probably only too true.
Dr. Thomas states that the migration upon foot seldom exceeds 80
rods, but the winged individuals fly to much greater distances. In-
stance was given in the Farmers’ Review for August 17, 1887, where a
little patch of sweet corn grown in the midst of pine woods in northern
Wisconsin, 8 miles from a cultivated crop of any kind, was badly in-
fested with the Chinch Bug. This appearance of the bugs probably re-
sulted from the flight thereto of mature individuals.
It naturally results from the wide difference in the method of growth
of the crops that the Chinch Bugs after migrating from wheat to corn
appear to be much more numerous upon the latter crop than they were
upon the former, in spite of the great numbers usually killed in the act
of migrating; for a single stalk of corn will be obliged to support the
Chinch Bugs from a great many stalks of wheat. Moreover, the bugs
swarm upon the first few rows and destroy them before invading the
entire field generally. The outer rows, of course, under these circum-
stances are often black with bugs. The pupze work their way down
between the leaves and the stalks and there cast their skins and issue
as adult insects. The leaf sheath is often thus completely filled with
exuvie. The eggs for the second brood are also often if not usually -
deposited in this same situation—behind the sheaths of the lower
leaves—and on hatching the young bugs remain there feeding and
growing, and casting skins, sometimes even until the advent of cold
weather and their consequent winter torpor. Others issue from these
sheaths, particularly when they are especially abundant, or failing to
find satisfactory locations on the outer rows take wings and fly to the
center of the field and become generally scattered. They feed upon the
Corn or Rye as the case may be, and upon the surrounding grasses or in
the fields of Millet or Hungarian grass until the approach of fall, by
which time nearly all are once more full-grown. Mr. Webster observed
them at Lafayette, Ind.,in August, 1887, forcing themselves down into cut
stubble of Setaria glauca for the purpose of undergoing the last molt.
He counted upwards of twenty in a single stalk. Wemay mention in
this connection, as reported to us by Prof. Osborn and also as published
in the Country Gentleman for August 25, 1877, that President Cham-
berlain, of the lowa Agricultural College, dug a single root of Hungarian
grass at Ames, Lowa, the first week in August upon which were counted
3,025 bugs. Harth was removed with the root to the depth of 3 inches.
(1 inch surface), in all about 4 cubic inches.
In the north the majority of them are ready to hibernate by the time
the field corn is harvested. Farther south, however, the corn grows
too hard for them and considerable time before the weather is cold
enough to compel them to seek winter shelter. In North Carolina, as
THE CHINCH BUG. 2
we have already shown, a third brood has appeared by the time the
corn becomes hard, and the bugs seek the Crab-grass and there feed
until ready for hibernation, finding in this grass, moreover, good shelter
for the winter.
The general statements here given apply to the average Chinch Bug
year in Illinois, Missouri, and the surrounding States, as the articles
from which we have drawn our main facts are the results of observa-
tions made in these States. The life-history and habits of the species
undoubtedly differ considerably in the more southern States, where,
however, it seldom does much damage. It is very doubtful, however,
that the habits differ so greatly as to admit of the correctness of the
statement quoted by Fitch from the Southern Planter (XV, 269), that
the eggs are laid in the ground in autumn where they remain through
the winter and until the warmth of the ground the following year
causes them to hatch! This great error (at least for the West and
North) is unfortunately perpetuated by Dr. Lintner in his second re-
port as State entomologist of New York, p. 153. There seems, in fact,
every reason to suppose that this was simply a guess on the part of the
editor of the Southern Planter without the slightest observation to
substantiate it. At our request, Professor Atkinson examined a num-
ber of females found near Chapel Hill, N. C., in November, but found
no evidence of mature eggs. He also searched carefully for deposited
eggs with, of course, negative results. He states that Mr. Thomas S.
Weaver, of Chapel Hill, has observed the bugs for the past ten years
and states that they never oviposit in autumn.
In exceptional seasons and under exceptional conditions the life-his-
tory and habits will vary considerably even in the localities referred to;
for example, in 1882, according to Professor Forbes’s first Illinois report,
there was evidently in some parts of the State but one brood,and the
first young bugs were not seen before July 10. The eggs of the first
brood were in some localities this season laid upon corn.
NATURAL ENEMIES AND DISEASES.
INSECT ENEMIES.—No true internal insect parasites of the Chinch Bug
have yet been found. In fact very few of these smaller Heteroptera are
parasitized except in the egg state. The minute Proctotrupide belong-
ing to Teleas and Telenomus infest the eggs of allied species and may
ultimately be found to attack the eggs of the Chinch Bug. Outside of
these genera, however, we can hardly expect any aid from parasitic in-
sects. In this connection, although it does not strictly come under this
head, we may mention that in 1885 Mr. Webster found a species of Mer-
mis (‘‘hair-snakes”) among the dried moltings and dead bodies of certain
Chinch Bugs in a stalk of Setaria, which gives rise to a strong proba-
bility that one of these creatures will be found to infest the bug. Many
predaceous insects destroy them, although their disgusting odor is prob-
ably more or less a protection.
22 THE CHINCH BUG.
Mr. Walsh in 1861 mentioned four Ladybirds, viz, the Spotted Ladybird
(Hippodamia maculata, Fig. 4), the Trim Ladybird (Coccinella munda,
now called Cycloneda sanguinea, Fig. 5), and two species of Scymnus. In
[Fig. 5.]
SPOTTED LADYBIRD. Trim LADYBIRD.
1882 Prof. Forbes found five species of Ladybirds (including the first
two mentioned by Walsh) extremely abundant on corn (15 or 20 to a
hill) which was infested by hosts of Chinch Bugs. .The contents of the
stomachs of a few specimens of each were examined with the following
results: In three specimens of Hippodamia maculata no traces of Chinch
Bugs were found, the food consisting of the spores of lichens, the pollen
of Rag-weed, and traces of Plant-lice. One-third of the food of Hippo-
damia convergens (5 specimens examined) consisted of equal parts of
Chinch Bugs and Plant-lice. In 4 specimens of Hippodamia glacialis 8
per cent. of the food was found to be Chinch Bugs, 18 per cent. Plant-
lice, and the rest vegetation. <A single specimen of Coccinella 9-notata
had eaten no insect food. Three specimens of Cycloneda sanguinea had
eaten some Plant-lice, but no Chinch Bugs. From these observations
Professor Forbes concludes that it is possible that the Ladybirds were
attracted “rather by the stores of fungi in the field than by the Chinch
Bugs and Plant-lice.”
The Weeping Lace-winged Fly (Chrysopa plorabunda, Fitch) described
originally by Dr. Shimer as Chr. Illinoiensis, has been found by Dr.
Shimer to destroy the Chinch Bug. Professor Riley records the fact that
the Insidious Flower Bug (Triphleps insidiosus, Say., Fig. 6), an insect
[Fig. 6.] [Fig. 7.]
Insibious FLOweEr-Buc. [After Riley.] MANY-BANDED Rosper. [ After Riley.]
which is often found in company with the Chinch Bug and which has
been mistaken for it, in reality feeds upon the pest. This is the insect
which was sent to Dr. Fitch as a Chinch Bug, and which he described
as Anthocoris pseudochinche in his second report. Professor Riley also
THE CHINCH BUG. 23
records the fact that he has observed the Many-banded Robber (Milyas
cinctus, Fab., Fig. 7) in the act of preying upon the Chinch Bug, and Dr.
Thomas considers this insect the most efficient of the insect enemies of
the pest.
Two of Professor Riley’s correspondents in 1874 stated that ants de-
stroyed the eggs of the Chinch Bug, but the observation lacks scientific
confirmation. Professor Forbes in 1882 observed a small ant (Lasius
flavus) in extraordinary numbers in fields of Broom-corn and Sorghum,
and both he and the farmer, whom he does not mention by name, made
each an independent observation upon an ant which was carrying off a
Chinch Bug in its jaws, but repeated dissections of ants found in such
fields failed to show that they had fed on the bugs.
Professor Forbes in his 1882 report adds to the list of observed insect-
enemies a common Ground-beetle—Agonoderus pallipes (Comma) Fabr.—
of which, upon dissection, one-fifth of the total food was found to be
Chinch Bugs. This is the insect figured upon Plate 1 of Bulletin 12 of
the Division of Entomology and whichis there stated to destroy seed
corn in the ground, so that its beneficial qualities are offset by its inju-
rious tendencies.
The evidence of Dr. Shimer, Dr. Walsh, and others, is quite sufficient
to establish the fact that the Lady-birds and the Lace-winged Fly men-
tioned will feed upon the Chinch Bug, and Dr. Shimer’s evidence in favor
of the latter insect is particularly strong. His testimony as to the great
abundance of the Lady-birds upon corn infested by Chinch Bugs is of
course only presumptive evidence of their good work in destroying this
insect. Itis unquestionable, however, that the Lady-birds prefer Plant-
lice to the Chinch Bugs; and in at least one instance which has been re-
ported to us, when the Lady-birds were present upon corn in considerable
numbers, and when this crop was infested by the Chinch Bug, a careful
study by the observer (Mr. Lawrence Bruner) showed that the Corn
Aphis was also present, and that the Lady-birds were feeding upon these
latter, and did not, so far as he could see, touch the Chinch Bugs. Pro-
fessor Forbes’ stomach examinations previously mentioned also tend to
cast discredit upon the Lady-birds as Chinch Bug destroyers.
VERTEBRATE ENEMIES.—Professor Riley published many years ago
in the Prairie Farmer the fact that the common Quail, or Bob White
(Colinus virginianus), was a most efficient destroyer of the Chinch Bug,
and this fact has since been contirmed by other writers. Dr. Riley says:
In the winter time when hard pushed for food they must devour enormous numbers
of the little pests which winter in just such situations as are frequented by the quail,
and this bird should be protected from the gun of the sportsman in every State where
the Chinch Bug is known to run riot.
We may add the corroborative evidence of Mr. Bruner, who combines
the knowledge of an entomologist with that of an ornithologist:
Protect the birds, and above all the quails, for they destroy countless numbers of
hibernating insects of various kinds that are to be picked up about the hedges and
such like resorts frequented by these birds throughout the winter. Although be-
24 THE CHINCH BUG.
longing to the gramnivorous birds the quail is essentially insectivorous; except in in-
clement weather, when insects are not easily obtained. In my profession as taxider-
mist I have dissected many different species of birds in the crops of which were con-
tained injurious insects of various kinds—the chinch bug among others. In no other
instance do I remember of the presence of this insect in the crop of a bird in so great
numbers as in thatofthe quail. Asa rule but few birds, mammals, reptiles, or rapac-
ious insects seem to relish any of the odoriferous members of the Hemiptera or true
bugs. In winter, however, thisrepuguance is partially overcome, and now and then
even a chinch bug seems a delicate morsel when ‘‘ meat” is scarce.
The Prairie Chicken, the Red-winged Black-bird, and other birds have
been reported as feeding upon the Chinch Bug, and Professor Forbes
mentions the fact that one Cat-bird, three Brown Thrushes, and one
Meadow Lark were found in 1880 to have eaten these insects “ in barely
sufficient number to show that the birds have no unconquerable prej-
udice against them. A single House-wren, shot in 1882, had also eaten
afew Chinch Bugs.” Dr. Thomas states that the common frog, accord-
ing to Professor’ Ross and others, consumes a large number of the bugs:
Professor Ross goes so far as to express the belief that the destruction of these ani-
mals by draining their natural haunts is one reason why the chinch bug is enabled to
multiply as it does in some seasons.
No account of an injurious insect is complete without an enumeration
of its natural enemies and hence this summary has been given. It is
plain, however, that the foes of the Chinch Bug are neither so numerous
nor So active in its pursuit as are those of most injurious insects. A1l-
most the solitary exception seems from the evidence to be the common
Quail, and on this account the following short table has been compiled.
It illustrates the months in which the shooting of quails is allowed in the
States in which the Chinch Bug becomes or may become injurious, and
it shows that while these birds are in the main tolerably well protected,
certain of the States which suffer most from the Chinch Bug might
with profit follow the example of Colorado or Dakota and protect the
Quail altogether for a series of years.
New York.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to Janu-
ary 1. .
Maryland.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to Decem-
ber 24. There are, however, in this State, local county laws, some of
which ajlow the shooting as early as October 1.
Virginia.—Shooting of quails allowed west of the Blue Ridge October
15 to January 1, except in Rockbridge County, where it is allowed from
October 15 to January 15; elsewhere October 15 to January 15.
Texas.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 1 to April 1.
Georgia.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to April 1.
Wisconsin.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to Decem-
ber 1. Trapping prohibited.
Michigan.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to January 1.
No trapping or snarin g allowed for market.
Pennsylvania. —Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to Jan-
uary 1. .
THE CHINCH BUG. 25
Tennessee.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 1 to April 1 in
Rutherford, Shelby, Tipton, and Fayette Counties; September 1 to Feb-
ruary 1, in Robertson, Davidson, Lincoln, and Maury Counties; Septem-
ber 15 to March 1, in Montgomery and Cheatham Counties.
Missouri.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to February 1.
Trapping prohibited except by owner of premises.
Delaware.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 15 to Jan-
uary 1.
North Carolina.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to April
1, except in counties of Clay, Cherokee, Graham, Henderson, Jackson,
Macon, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Johnston, Jones, Ware, Onslow, Carter-
ret, and Columbus, in which they are not protected. In Currituck
County, December 1 to April 1.
Jowa.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 1 to January 1. No
more than twenty-five quails to be killed in any one day by any one
person.
Dakota.—Quails protected absolutely to. 1890.
Illinois.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to January 1.
Snaring and trapping forbidden.
Ohio.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 10 to January 1.
Snaring and trapping forbidden. In Fulton County quails protected
to November 1, 1890.
Nebraska.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 1 to January 1.
Snaring and trapping forbidden.
Indiana.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to Decem-
ber 20.
Minnesota.—Shooting of quails allowed from September 1 to Decem-
ber 1. Trapping prohibited.
District of Columbia.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1
to February 1. Trapping prohibited.
South Carolina.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 1 to Mareh 15.
Montana.—Shooting of quails allowed from August 15 to November 15.
Arkansas.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 1 to March 1.
Colorado.—Quails protected at all times.
West Virginia.—Shooting of quails allowed from October 15 to Jan-
uary 1. Snaring prohibited.
Kentucky.—Shooting of quailsallowed from October 15 to February 1.
Idaho.—Quails protected until September 1, 1887. (Present status
of law unknown.)
New Mexico.—Shooting of quails allowed from September 1 to May 1.
Kansas.—Shooting of quails allowed from November 1 to January 1.
This compilation is drawn up in the main from an extended abstract
of the State laws, published in the American Field for August 20, 1887,
Vol. XXVIII, No. 8.
DISEASES.—The Chinch Bug has long been known to be subject to a
so-called bacterial disease, which occasionally kills it off. Dr. Shimer,
26 THE CHINCH BUG.
in his long article in the Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia, gives the following account of his observations upon
this disease in 1865. (Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences
of Philadelphia for 1867.)
July 16.—A farmer four miles from here informed me that a black coleopterous in-
sect was destroying the chinch bugs on his farm very rapidly, and, although I found
his supposition to be an error, yet I found many dying on the low creek-bottom land
from the effects of some disease, while they are yet in the larve state—a remarkable
and rare phenomenon forinsects thus in such a wholesale manner to be dying without
attaining their maturity, and no insect enemy or other efficient cause to be observed
capable of producing this important result. * * *
On the low grounds the young chinch bugs are all dead from the disease above al-
luded to, and the same disease is spreading rapidly on the hills and high prairies.
The weather has been very wet since the first of July, and the barley above al-
luded to, which I plowed beneath the ground, did not die, but assumed a yellow,
sickly appearance; in its shady, compressed, unnatural position, the ends of the
heads project from beneath the furrows. The chinch bugs also remained alive for a
time, but feeding on the sickly grain and shaded from the sunlight—what little we
had—were attacked by disease in the same manner and about the same time as those
on the low creek-bottom lands, meeting very rapidly the same fate, so that very few
of them ever found their way to the neighboring corn.
July 28.—In the fields where sixty days ago I saw plenty of eggs, and forty-two days
ago an abundance of young chinch bugs, the imago are beginning to develop quite
plentifully. Great numbers, in all stages of their development, are dying of the pre-
vailing disease.
August 8.—The majority of the chinch bugs yet alive are in the imago state, but they
are being rapidly destroyed by the prevailing epidemic disease, more fatal to them
than the plague of Asiatic cholera ever was to man, more fatal than any recorded
disease among men or animals since time began. Scarcely one in a thousand of the
vast hosts of young bugs observed at the middle of June yet remain alive, but plenty
of dead ones may be seen everywhere, lying on the ground, covered with the common
mold of decomposing animal matter, and nothing else, even when examined by the
microscope. Even of those that migrated to corn-fields a few weeks ago, in such
numbers as to cover the lower half of the corn-stalks, very few are to be found re-
maining alive; but the ground around the base of the corn-hills is almost literally
covered with their moldering, decomposing dead bodies. This is a matter so common
as to be observed and often spoken of by farmers. They are dead everywhere, not
lying on the ground alone, but sticking to the blades and stalks of corn in great
numbers, in ali stages of their development, larva, pupa, and imago.
August 22.—It is almost impossible to find even a few cabinet specimens of chinch
bugs alive, so that I am quite sorry that I did not secure a large supply of specimens
while they were so numerous in former years; for it really appears quite probable
that even cabinet specimens will be hard to secure, whereby to remember the fallen
race of the unnumbered millions of former years.
September 13.—After a whole day’s searching inthe corn-fields, I have just been able
to find two larve and a few imago chinch bugs, against the great numbers above al-
luded to in the corn about this time last year.
* * * * * * *
It is generally believed among entomologists that insect enemies are the most effi-
cient means in nature for exterminating noxious insects; but in this remarkable fact
in the history of insects, the great epidemic of 1365 (there can be no doubt about
this being an epidemic disease, because the insects died without attaining their ma-
turity), we find a greater enemy, the greatest insect enemy ever recorded, a dreadful
“plague,” that in afew days almost utterly annihilated a race of beings living in the
THE CHINCH BUG. 27
northern part of the valley of the Mississippi, outnumbering all the human beings
that have ever lived on this planet since the morning of creation.
This disease among the chinch bugs was associated with the long-continued wet,
cloudy, cold weather that prevailed during a greater portion of the period of their
development, and doubtless was in a measure produced by deficient light, heat, and
electricity, combined with excessive humidity of the atmosphere, whereby an imper-
fect physical (‘‘ bug”) organization was developed. The disease was atits maximum
during the moist weather that followed the cold rains of June and the first part of
July. The young chinch bug spent a great portion of its time on or near the ground,
where its body was colder than the atmosphere; hence, upon philosophical principles,
there must have been an excessive precipitation of watery vapor in the bronchial
tubes. These are the facts in the case, but in the midst of the great obscurity that
envelops epidemic diseases among men, it would be only idle speculation to attempt
to define the cause more definitely than the physiological laws already observed seem
to indicate. At all events it will require many years of warm, dry summers, and ac-
companying winters of plenty of snow for protection, to reinstate the lost innumera-
ble armies of this insect.
During the summer of 1866 the chinch bugs were very scarce in all the early spring,
and up to near the harvest I was not able, with the most diligent search, to tind one.
At harvest I did succeed in finding a few in some localities.
Professor Forbes took up the study of the Chinch Bug Disease in Au-
gust, 1882, and has published several interesting accounts of his results.
A short summary was publishe.l in his first report as State Entomolo-
gist of Illinois, for the year 1882, of the long account of his studies and
experiments, and itis in such shape that we reproduce it here:
On the other hand, a much more important role is apparently played by certain ob-
scure parasites, not previously detected. One of these is a minute bacterium (Micro-
coccus insectorum, Burrill), infesting the alimentary canal, closely allied to the micro-
coccus found in the stomach and intestines of silk-worms, and now known to cause
some of the destructive diseases of that insect. From the fact that these parasites.
were extremely abundant in specimens trom a field where the bugs were rapidly dying,
while in those from adjacent fields there were relatively very few, it was considered
probable that they were related to this destruction of the bugs. This conclusion was
sup ported by the factthat they were more abundant in old bugs than in young, while
the mortality referred to evidently also chiefly affected the older individuals. It was
found easy to cultivate the bacterium artificially in organic infusions, but no oppor-
tunity offered to apply it to healthy insects. Until this experiment is made and the
effects carefully studied, it must remain possible that the coincidence noted was
merely accidental, and of no particular significance.
Another parasite discovered is similar to that well known as a common enemy of
the house fly, and belongs to the same genus (Entomophthora). This attacks both old
and young chinch bugs, and finally embeds their bodies ina mass of mold. There is
some reason to believe that this was the active agent in an immense destruction of
chinch bugs which occurred in Northern Illinois in 1866, as described by Dr. Shimer,
of Mount Carroll. Evidence is adduced of the possibility of artificially cultivating
this parasite also, and applying it to the destruction of insects.
Since the publication of this report Professor Forbes has taken up
the study of bacterial diseases of certain other insects, but there has
been, so far as we are aware, no practical outcome as yet. The subject,
however, has a rather hopeful look, although we should be inclined
to expect more from the Micrococcus than from the Entomophthora. The
evidence mentioned as to the possibility of artificially cultivating the
28 THE CHINCH BUG.
latter is chiefly a translation of a paper by Metschnikoff in the Zodlog-
ischer Anzeiger for 1880, pp. 44-47 in which it is shown the Russian
naturalist successfully induced the growth of the fungus, Jsaria de-
structor, which had destroyed the celebrated Anisoplia Austriaca, a grain
pest in Russia, in beer mash. Successful attempts were made to infest
healthy larve with green spores taken from diseased larvee found in
the fields, buf no mention is made of success, or even of experiment with
the only practical substance—tbe beer-mash culture.
Professor Riley has always doubted the possibility of any practical
success in‘this direction, and has pointed out the difficulties in the way.
(See American Naturalist, November, 1883, p. 1170.)
In the introduction to the Fourth Report of the U. S. Entomological
Commission (LX X XV) he makes use of the following language :
In treating of the use of yeast ferment or other fungus germs we have used essen-
tially the language of the first edition. Time has only served to confirm us in our
opinion of their practical futility in the field. The question of the practical use of
these micro-organisms—these disease germs—as insecticides is a very fascinating one,
and is much written about just now ; but unfortunately it proves most alluring to
those who have had the least practical experience in coping with injurious insects in
the field, and is much more apt to assume importance to the closet theorists than to
those who, from experience, are conscions of the difficulties involved in its applica-
bility.
It will also be apropos to quote Professor Forbes’ latest utterance
upon this point. He says:
Finally, the artificial cultivation of the germs of the contagious diseases of the chinch
bug, with a view to spreading these diseases at will by means of such artificial cult-
ure. This is a theoretical remedy only, and much additional study and experiment
will be required to put it on a practical basis.
WET WEATHER AND THE CHINCH BUG.
The great preponderance of evidence favors the idea, now considered
well established, that wet weather is inimicai to this insect. Dozens,
we may almost say hundreds, of instances are on record in which the
Chinch Bugs, after successfully hibernating in great numbers, have been
rendered harmless by a wet spring, and in which, having laid their eggs
and appeared again as the spring brood with greatly increased forces,
a spell of rainy weather in early summer has caused them to vanish.
Hence, it follows that dry seasons favor the increase of the pest; and
careful observation convinced Riley and others that after a season of
moderate abundance (presumably therefore not a wet season) the oceur-
rence of the bugs in destructive numbers the next season depends al-
most entirely upon the wetness or dryness of the ensuing spring.
The exact method in which wet weather accomplishes the destruction
of the insect is a somewhat disputed point. That it is not actual sub-
mergence was pointed out by Professor Riley in his second Missouri
report, and still further proven by an observation made by Hon. Will-
iam McAdams and reported by Professor Forbes in his first report as
THE CHINCH BUG. 29
State entomologist of Illinois, and which is sufficiently interesting to
quote:
In his vicinity, in Jersey County (Ills.), they (the chinch bugs) were extremely
abundant in the grain early in the spring, but were all apparently swept out of the
country by a long and violent storm. Some days afterwards, when the water had
subsided, he noticed in pulling over the drift-wood in the river bottoms immense
numbers of chinch bugs among the rubbish, most of them still alive and crawling
about.
Professor Forbes also concludes that simple exposure to moisture
hardly bas the effect attributed to rain from experiments which he made
as follows :
A number of hills infested by the bugs were successfully transplanted to boxes and
variously treated with water for ten days. Some selected examples were thoroughly
drenched every day, both ground and stalks; in other boxes only the ground was
watered ; in still others the corn was sprinkled every day, but the ground protected 5,
and the remainder were left with only sufficient attention to keep the corn alive.
During the time for which these experiments were continued, no appreciable effect
whatever was produced upon the bugs infesting the stalks. Those where the corn
was watered were washed down upon the ground each time, but soon dried off and
climbed up the stalk. At the end of this time the bugs under observation all com-
menced to disappear indiscriminately, without reference to the mode in which the
corn had been treated, and the experiment was thus abruptly closed. Enough was
learned, however, to show that a succession of heavy daily showers for more than a
week would have no appreciable effect upon these insects in that stage. The weather
was warm and pleasant, and the conditions under which the experiments were carried
on made it impossible to saturate the air.
So general a conclusion it seems to us is hardly warrantable from the
conditions under which the experiments were made. If ‘tthe weather
was warm and pleasant, and the condition under which the experiments
were carried on made it impossible to saturate the air,” the effect could
hardly help but differ from that of a heavy shower in a corn-field, par-
ticularly from that of ‘a succession of heavy daily showers for more
than a week,” when there would be considerable cloudy weather and
the atmosphere on the whole would be moist.
Professor Riley mentioned the fact that the larve and pupx are more
readily killed by the wet weather than the adult insects, but that the
latter are also killed.
Mr. Walsh (Am. Ent. I, 175, 1869) gives the emphasis of italics to the
following sentence :
In a hot, dry season chinch bugs are always the worst ; in a wet season it is im-
possible for them to do any considerable amount of damage.
Dr. Shimer (loc. cit.), in his account of the epidemic, argued that it was
doubtless the indirect effect of the wet weather. Dr. Thomas (Bull. 5,
U.S. E. C.) expressed the opinion that the wet weather gave rise to a
minute fungus which is the direct cause of the death of the insect.
Professor Forbes says:
The phenomena connected with the action of parasites, which I have above de-
scribed, were apparently independent of any appreciable general cause, as they were
most manifest at a time when the weather had been warm, dry, and altogether un-
30 THE CHINCH BUG.
exceptionable for from one to two months. It is not unlikely, however, that wet
weather may have the effect to stimulate the development of this parasite, either di-
rectly or indirectly—a hypothesis which will reconcile all the facts now known, as
well as the conflicting explanations of them which have been hitherto put forth.
Assuming the dry weather abundance and wet weather searcity of the
Chinch Bug to be proven, Dr. Thomas in 1880 published an elaborate
article in which by a comparison of the rain-fall for forty years, with the
destructive appearances of the insect for the same period, he not only
established a definite relation between them, but upon an admittedly
somewhat uncertain septennary periodicity of rain-fall advanced the fol-
lowing practical conclusions :
The first and very important practical fact revealed is that we may expect at
most but two chinch bug years in every seven, with the strong probability, amount-
ing almost to a certainty, that there will not be two in succession. As heretofore
stated, two successive dry years are necessary in order to develop this species in ex-
cessive numbers; the rain-fall records seldom show three dry years in succession, hence
the chinch bugs are not likely to appear in injurious numbers in two successive years.
The years 1854 and 1455 may, perhaps, form an exception to this rule. It is possible
that the second brood of the first year may be sufficient to excite alarm, but experi-
ence has shown that they do but little injury. We may, perhaps, with safety assume,
as a general rule subject to occasional exceptions, that they will not appear more
than once in excessive numbers during any of the septennary periods.
If the facts shown in reference to periodicity in our rain-fall are confirmed by future
investigations, and this periodicity shown to be a meteorological law of the area in-
dicated, the practical advantage of this knowledge to our farmers is apparent to every
one. By this knowledge they will be enabled to predict with a reasonable degree of
certainty when to expect these insects, and can rotate their crops so as to suffer the
least possible injury. This knowledge will also enable them to dispense with precau-
tionary measures except in such years as are likely to be followed by the appearance
of the bugs.
Experience has shown, and farmers are now becoming fully aware of the fact, that
spring wheat and corn are the crops that chiefly aid in sustaining and developing
this pest. Why corn should aid in this respect is easily seen, as it is the only exten-
sive crop on which the second brood can feed. But why spring wheat should aid
more in developing them than winter wheat is not so easily explained, but that such
is the fact must be admitted. It may possibly be accounted for on the presumption
that the climate of the spring wheat region is more congenial to them than that of
the winter wheat area.
These facts, combined with a knowledge of the time when the dry seasons are to
be expected, will enable the farmers to substitute other crops as far as possible in
place of spring wheat and corn. Even if the conclusion in reference to periodicity in
rain-fall should prove erroneous, the fact that two successive dry years are necessary
to develop this species'in excessive numbers will suffice to give notice at least one
season in advance and allow the farmers to adapt their crops to the circumstances.
When a dry season comes and an examination shows that the bags are on the increase,
winter wheat, wherever it is possible to do so, should be substituted for spring wheat ;
and oats, as far as possible, for corn.
The uncertainty in reference to temperature will, perhaps, always prevent us from
predicting with certainty that a coming year will be marked by the appearance of
these insects, but we may say with assurance that a wet year will not be followed by
achinch-bug year. Although this is not all we desire to know in this respect, it is,
nevertheless, a very important fact and may be used to manifest advantage by our
agriculturists.
THE CHINCH BUG. . oe
It is proper to remark at this point that we have been speaking only of the rain-
fall over the whole area designated and the general appearance of the chinch bug
over the same area.
That these insects have appeared even in injurious numbers in limited localities in
intermediate years, or times different from those indicated as possible chinch-bug
years, is certainly true. But, if the theory advanced is correct when applied to the
area designated as a whole, it will probably prove true when applied to more limited
localities. That is to say, if the meteorological record of a given locality within this
area for a long series of years is examined, it will probably reveal the fact that there
is a similar periodicity in the rainfall, though possibly not septennary. If this is
found to be true, then the farmers of that locality will have a guide by which to ro-
tate their crops and to take precautionary measures.
_ It therefore becomes important for each section to keep a record at least of the rain-
fall, for this will be of advantage, not only in counteracting the chinch bugs, but
numerous other species, and if a periodicity is ascertained will enable the farmers to
adapt their crops as far as possible to the wet or dry seasons.
In the October (1880) number of the American Entomologist (Vol.
III) Dr. Thomas published practically the same article as that above
quoted and stated that the bugs would probably appear over the region
indicated in 1881. He advised, in consequence, the sowing of large
areas of oatsin 1881. Prof. Riley, in his Annual Report for 1881-’82 (p.
87), mentioned this prediction and advice, and showed that the predic-
tion was fulfilled in part, at least, by the occurrence of the bugs in de-
structive numbers in several Western States. With regard to the adop-
tion of Dr. Thomas’ advice, however, he pointed out the rather curious
fact that Dr. Thomas’ own State (Illinois) was the only one of the large
oat-producing States in which the acreage of this crop was not increased,
but was somewhat diminished. Dr. Thomas in the letter of transmit-
tal to his report for 1881 announced the fulfillment of his prediction
and predicted immunity for 1882. Professor Riley (loc. cit.) showed that
in spite of frequent rains in the spring of 1882, and in spite of the fact
that 1881 was a Chinch Bug year, the bugs appeared in great numbers
in parts of Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri in April and May, but that
by June the reports were less alarming. The year as a whole was not
marked by any extensive damage.
Upon Dr. Thomas’ theory the year 1888 should not be a Chinch Bug
year, and, while not desiring to encroach upon his prerogative as a
seer, we are inclined to hold the same opinion concerning this season at
least.
Curiously enough, an anonymous writer (J.C. H.S., of Sedgwick
County, Kans.) in the Prairie Farmer for June 10, 1882, commenting
upon and criticising Dr. Thomas’ theory, himself predicts that 1887
would be a year of drought and consequently aChinch Bug year—a much
more daring prediction than Dr. Thomas cared to make, and which has
yet been perfectly fulfilled. According to this writer’s somewhat arbi-
trary system, 1894 will again bring a severe drought.
We introduce here, as bearing upon the rain-fall influence in the in-
teresting North Carolina locality, the following table of temperature and
32
rain-fall at Chapel Hill, compiled by Professor Atkinson. It will be
noticed that while the total rain-fall in both 1886 and 1887 was greater
than in 1885, that during September, October, and November, 1886, and
March and April, 1887, was comparatively slight, and that during June
and July, 1887, high temperature occurred with the comparatively
heavy rain-fall. ‘
THE CHINCH BUG.
Table of temperature and rain-fall for spring, summer, and autumn, at
Chapel Hill, N. C., for the years 1885, 1886, and 1887.
| : 2 2)
| col Bele eeeae
[The temperatureis expressed) ttn = g B 3 = 8
in degrees Fahrenheit. | Set Wha eS z 2 = 2 = 2 ae
Bis alfesdesioetl oh a Bilt Geral oes - | Stheeeneser
Wee eV Fe fe ee ic re aime cites 2 =
| — -*
| ea |
1885.
Highest temperature ........ 15 94 90 | 94 100 | 94 92 8] 71 dees
Lowest temperature......--. 15 31 40 63 61 57 46 | 35 PY bow \secece
Mean temperature........---| 42.3 | 55.3 | 66.5 | 74.7 | 77.3 | 74.8 | 68 96/6) 5) 252.30 |peeeme
Rain-fall (inches).......-....- 3.5 2.71) 4.34) 1.382 |) 3.95 | 1.98| 6.45] 6.27] 3.81 | 24.25
1886. |
Highest temperature.....-.. 80 93 93 93 98.5 | 96 94 89 TP eo ecsae
Lowest temperature......... 24 33 46 | 53 | 62 a0 52 35 pee Wesaace
Mean temperature.........-. 49.3. | 59.6. | (67.7 | 78.8 | 76.9" | 75.9 | 47590) 586) Oot eee
Rain-tall (inches) .......-.--. 4.97 | 5.99| 4 6.22 | 7.48) 9,91 | 2.86] 1.47] 2.79 | 41.43
1887.
| |
Highest temperature........ 83 91 |:93 {101.8 {103 92 983 Miles baas|eeese eee
Lowest temperature......... | 26 28 | 45 | 49.7 | 65.7 | 52 OO ie heemeretet|| een ated Sees
Mean temperature.........-- 146.9 <[058./3: 1906. aly e7ONB: Waa G9 0 yee eee ee at
Rain-fall (inches) -=---.=..-.- 3.93 | 2.56] 6.59) 6.22) 6.11 | 10.8 8 id\ spore ene ee 47. 60°
| | |
The following tables are published for comparative purposes. They
are kindly furnished by the Chief Signal Officer, and include the official
records of precipitation in Chinch Bug States for 1885, 1886, 1887:
Precipitation.
Stations.
1885. 1886. 1887.
Maryland: Inches. | Inches. | Inches.
IBALLIMBTOS 2. saa cmeic econ cain ncininna dae eles semtenn oaeicceh em eeeeemecce econ: 46.04 | 52.11 43. 59)
Virginia:
Pape ORT Vector Mice clas Cn atecive sete cele acts aa seine aerate een bie eee 36/00/1494. 76) ors see
CEDUNCOLEACIC soe anne cen /avanin sia steie'smeareeen toe ner oe ee eee e monn: maneee 41.85 | 45.23 | 719.74
PUTO DUTP 523.1 J sinweated oot esas sean eee coat paae emcee eeername cn eae 46.35 | 51.85 40. 62
PV ORIOU Rens sont a at act camieiie nce cece ces cates mae mem etme meme ete aoe ae 43.25 | 54.33 47.72
North Carolina:
ORO UO ee etetad ae eaters ae ala nase eatin asec tae Sane ee ee ia ieee a eee eee 68.35 | 64.60; 51.26
EIT DOTS A S85 Sie an 2 hs nie An cee cae ae nice ee eae ee ener ete eee 68.02 | 54.72 55. 07
SUTURED Katee selene es ee ainainne an alaniccne siaee emcee seam mean mebeee O4578)| 200008) ce aceeee
NTAGOD BONG oie = <2 osa's Ca biaiepinrniete we bee eee cee enmaee saeeik tease scams 62.34: |) 247.50) | -=-aaeee
SMG Ville (NOW SOULONOLN)) <samaance cement cneesommecnceu cemee oners meee 48.07 | 38.93 | 59.49
WHIT BON 3:5 cise doe ieee be oe as cea coh se cemeeneiacsee meee OL aaa awe eee 60.42 | 56.43 51. 47
Indiana: |
Grbendastle. Foie canon ses pease ae eine iacee cee oak. Pee nee 50821 | S30 i652 seo
ATICIANADOUS = snconin cies ssc amteunn tenant ce ceees Naat eeMeme ater seal coin | 39.51 | 39.88 33. 08
Ohio:
CAR CINN AGL stein eran ce cates a eammecin de els aicia oe ein s meek cee een Se cae ee | 33.94 | 31.35 35. 08.
Clevelandes< VIM ete s cee ae oI oe ae oe Meee Temes nes So ok 39.93 | $7.34 35. 36
COMIMpUG , ocd wa or ea neatann ae ee wee PER COE OSCE OO See eee | 42.25 | 42,39 30. 25
IATCUBIGY 2. os tAehe Leradaee eee tomer Seek ee ete heer eee me eer 34.23 | 31.00 29. 85:
POLES. oops sas Ba ee eee ee eee ee nea earn NS 33.19 32. 90 32. OL
1Closed December 31, 1886.
2 Closed June 18, 1887.
*Closed November 4, 1886.
THE CHINCH BUG. 33
Precipitation.
Stations. —
| Part
1885. 1886. 1887.
Illinois : Inches. | Inches. | Inches.
MO ELON tetera ticle Secicts CO See oN ac nals sinte erin soe RES ct Wis) ve c's ates wjsice coe 31.99 | 37.98 | 26.75
Gia O ree meee eee tora pace ese meee che om eee eee ia tec neee cua ie 44.37 | 26.77 29.13
SSP GUAGE eco ees aeons Sa doesn gaeicea bas dadacs cSemetewsueessaeces | 38.61 | 31.69 25.15
Wisconsin: |
ARO CO SN Oe sar coher wate tise eni dere ania nt wai eA ree bine Soe so deme® aeawiacce | 30.70 | 22.49 VERY,
I WK GG aes ccraacie coins os atiamecietcscc Meneses cee c tet cnr tnicce cece seems 32. 58 31. 46 30. 46
Minnesota: |
JD ri hhh ee SeeSee iy 33. 37 28. 56
Moorehead. .-. ‘ a p 26. 76 21.97
Saint Paul .. . - efits " 22. 89 25. 85
Seimtavealn CON Uasecee sce sansa e pee bees eee ae sOet E I 15. 04 18. 47
Missouri:
Marna eer een taatac ae te Sian cites cree ae seek ee Roe ew cate dag ses created - 08 33. 48 35. 72
SAUIRGNOMINEM Nc teceoonciicen cis sccisciciec vie isemnciewee eee sabewision sencecce ae : 44.34 35. 30
Kansas: |
SOTA OL OLA ee erate = eee rasa Maret ace aia NS TIat Se ae o mae aioe aleieiey Sice wae al aa ly alal 28. 24 25. 26
Wake Ee Cibyee. hte. t s.steaeees ods mraeseee nee eaeice td RRB O Re Ec an rere 23.71 | 19.35 15. 80
HEC UD Mal Ueto eincnebs ae Ate ee cane 2 aes pieces tam eae eens ak eon 43. 64 22, 25 37. 05
1Ten months’ record. 2 Right months’ record.
REMEDIES AND PREVENTIVES.
The remedies and preventives recommended as late as the publication
of Professor Riley’s 7th Rept. Ins. Mo., and there considered by him are
as follows: Irrigation, burning, trapping, trampling, rolling, manuring,
early sowing, mixing seed, or protecting one plant by another, prevent-
ing the migration from one field to another by upright boards or by
piowed furrows or ditches, abstaining from cultivation of grains upon
which the insect feeds. These remedies were also treated in detail by
Dr. Thomas in Bulletin 5 of the Commission. Since this, although many
changes have been rung in the agriculturai newspapers on these reme-
dies, very few entirely new ideas have been advanced. We may men-
tion more particularly, before taking up a more detailed consideration
of this question, the successful adoption of the kerosene emulsion for
application at the time of migration or immediately afterwards.
Preventions.
Clean Cultivation.— With no insect more than the Chinch Bug is there
greater necessity for-clean cultivation. We have shown already that
the insect hibernates under rubbish of all kinds, and that the grass and
weeds growing in the fence corners and the leaves which accumulate there
are admirable places for these insects to collect and winter. Where
corn-stalks are left in the fields, and where rubbish of any kind is al-
lowed to accumulate, there the bugs will surely be found. Therefore,
the more thoroughly a field is cleaned up in the fall, the more carefully
the fence corners are weeded out, and the more the bare soil is turned
under the fewer will be the chances for successful hibernation.
Diversified Farming.—It follows from what we have said concerning
food plants of this insect and the crops most attacked, that, from the
12734—Bull. 17-——3
34 THE CHINCH BUG.
Chinch-bug standpoint alone, to say nothing of its other advantages,
the more diversified the system of crops the better chance there will be
for preventing it. A farmer who plants only Winter Wheat, Corn, and
small vegetable patches, as is the practice in so many parts of the West,
will always be liable to lose a large share, if not all, of his expected re-
muneration, from the attacks of this insect. ‘Diversified farming, with
wheat mainly left out,” is the editorial recommendation of the Prairie
Farmer (September 17, 1887), and is certainly an exemplification of con-
densed wisdom. Theobjectof the omission of Wheat, particularly Winter
Wheat, is, of course, to afford as little food as possible for the first genera-
tion. Similarly the plan has been suggested of abstaining from Corn in
wheat and other small-grain growing regions, with the purpose of afford-
ing as little food as possible for the second brood. The result of this
plan will be that after harvest the bugs will make their way to the wild
grasses, will disperse more, and vastly fewer will successfully hibernate
than if there were the usual superabundant supply of food for the sec-
ond generation.
Rotation of Crops.—From these same facts it also follows with self-
evident clearness that crops attractive to these insects should not be
sown year after year upon the same ground. This idea is so plain as to
require no elaboration. Abstaining from the cultivation of grain upon
which the insect feeds where, in spite of the efforts for protection else-
where mentioned, the Chinch-bug damage is still great, will, of course,
end the difficulty. Wheat, Barley, Rye, Hungarian Grass, and Millet
are all important crops, but there are others such as Buckwheat, Clover,
Flax, Hemp, all vegetables and fruits which could well be made to take
their place for a year or two, or more, if it should become necessary.
The one great result of the Chinch-bug convention held in Kansas in
1881 was the adoption of a resolution to abstain from the cultivation
of Wheat, the length of time not being mentioned. As we have pre-
viously shown, large areas of Oats could be successfully grown, but in
corn-growing regions most small grains must be left alone, and above
all Winter-wheat and Barley. Even without concert of action among
the farmers of ‘a certain region, it will benefit the individual to abstain
from Wheat and to grow Oats in preference in a year when bugs are
expected, but concert of action is far preferable.
Early Sowing and Manuring.—From the evident fact that a strong,
healthy, well-grown plant will better resist the attacks of the insect the
deduction follows that Winter Wheat sown early upon well-manured
ground and given careful cultivation will be farther advanced in the
spring and will suffer less from the attacks of the bug. Heavy manur-
ing will also cause a denser growth, which experience shows to be
prejudicial to the bugs.
Rolling.—The female Chinch Bug in the spring seeks preferably fria-
ble ground in which to lay her eggs; consequently rolling the land in |
the fall after the crop of Winter Wheat is put in will render it less favor-
THE CHINCH BUG. 35
able to such egg laying. The same thing may be done with even better
success after sowing Spring Wheat.
Sowing an unattractive Crop with Wheat.—Good results have been ob.
tained, as shown by Professor Riley, by sowing 1 or 2 quarts of Flax
to the acre in the spring among Fall Wheat. It is put in in early spring
with a light harrowing and rolling. Its growth does not materially in-
jure thecrop. Flax and Barley have also been sown mixed upon the
same ground, the seed being separated in cleaning. Similarly, corn-
fields which promised a poor stand have been harrowed and sown to
Buekwheat. We have already mentioned in our section on food plants
the successful experiment detailed by Professor Forbes in sowing Timo-
thy in the fall with Winter Wheat or Rye, and the same author states that
in southern Illinois the sowing of Clover in spring on Winter Wheat is
largely practiced “with unquestionably good effect, provided that the
clover grows freely enough to shade the ground by the time the young
Chinch Bug gets fairly under way.” In that latitude, however, he states
that the clover often makes too slow astart to effect this purpose. Pro-
fessor Riley also states that it is recommended to sow 1 bushel of Win-
ter Rye with each 12 bushels of Spring Wheat, either for the same reason
or from the idea that the bugs will prefer the younger to the older grain.
Direct Winter Remedies.
Stress should be laid upon the great necessity for concerted work in
winter time.
Burning.—Professor Riley says:
I can not lay too much stress on the importance of winter work in burning corn-
stalks, old boards, and all kinds of grass, weeds, rubbish, and litter around grain fields,
and even the leaves in the adjoining woods, in and under all of which the little pest
hibernates.
In almost every locality the insects will be found to have some par-
ticularly favored hibernating place, where they can be attacked and
burned out. The locality studied by Professor Atkinson in North Caro-
lina and mentioned in a previous paragraph is a particularly good in-
stance. There a little careful search in the fall showed the bugs pre-
paring to hibernate in great numbers in the Orab-grass, and nothing
could be easier in the winter than to burn down every spear of this
grass in the vicinity of the grain fields. In the newer parts of the West,
where unbroken prairie land adjoins fields of grain, it is advisable to
burn over the former early every spring. Indeed this course is an ab-
solute necessity under such conditions.
Fall Plowing and Harrowing.—After burning, if the soil can be plowed
and harrowed, the chances for successful hibernation of the bugs which
escape burning will be reduced to a minimum. In the same way, with-
out burning, late fall plowing and harrowing will do much good.
Gas Lime.—Where gas lime can be easily and cheaply obtained an
application of two hundred bushels to the acre will prove valuable as a
fertilizer and will destroy such hibernating insects as it may reach.
36 THE CHINCH BUG.
Trapping.—We quote again from Professor Riley :
Much good winter work may be done also in the way of trapping the bugs. Im
seeking winter quarters they show a decided partiality for any flat substance, such as
old boards, that do not rest too closely upon the ground. If all old boards that can
be obtained are laid around the field in the fallin such manner that the larger part
of the lower surface will not quite rest on the ground—which of course it will not do
if the ground is in the least uneven or covered with grass—the bugs will collect under
such traps and during the cold weather of winter may be scraped from them on to
dry straw and burned.
He has also suggested that shocks of corn-stalks should be made
at intervals throughout the field before winter sets in so as to attract
the bugs, which will congregate in the shocks, where they can be burned
at leisure. Almost any inflammable rubbish could be used for this pur-
pose. In the neighborhood of sorghum mills bagasse has been used
with good effect. The piles should not be too large or too compact.
They should be placed during September and should be burned in De-
cember.
Trampling.—The following paragraph is from Professor Riley :
Where the custom of allowing cattle to range during the winter in the husked
corn-fields, even the few Chinch Bugs which secrete in the stalks are apt to get killed
by the feeding and trampling.
Direct Summer Remedies before Migration.
As is the case with so many other destructive insects, it is not until
they are under full headway and in the act of doing their greatest
damage that an appeal is made to the entomologist for relief, and at
such times it is usually by far the most difficult thing to give any ad-
vice. A wheat field full of Chinch Bugs is as disagreeable a sight to
the economic entomologist as it is to the farmer who owns it, for
nothing can be done to save it. If the hand of Providence should in-
terpose with a long-continued drenching rain relief would be gained,
but in almost no other way are the crops to be saved.
Irrigation.—It was the fact just mentioned which led Professor Riley,
in his 7th Report on the Insects of Missouri, to strongly recommend
irrigation where it can be practiced. He says:
Irrigation, where it can be applied, and it can be in much of the territory in the
vicinity of the Rocky Mountains, where the insect commits sad havoe, and with a
little effort in many regions in the heart of the Mississippi Valley, is the only really
available, practicable remedy, after the bugs have commenced multiplying in the
spring. I wish to lay particular stress on this matter of irrigation, believing, as I do,
that it is an effectual antidote against this pest, and that by overflowing a grain
field for a couple of days, or by saturating the ground for as many more in the month
of May, we may effectually prevent its subsequentinjuries. * * * We can not, at
the critical moment, expect much aid from its natural enemies, for these are few
and attack it mostly in the winter time. We must, therefore, in our warfare with
this pest, depend mainly on preventive measures where irrigation is impossible.
Later (Amer. Agriculturist, Dec., 1881, also Ann. Rept. as Entomolo-
gist Dept. Agr. for 1881-82, pages 88-89) he expressed himself even
more explicitly upon this subject:
THE CHINCH BUG. 37
I have found no occasion to change my opinion as to the value and potency of
irrigation as a remedy for Chinch-bug injuries, a remedy, too, that is within the reach
of most farmers, for there are few who might not, with the aid of proper windmills,
obtain the water requisite for irrigating their fields at the needed time, while many
have natural irrigating facilities. I have repeatedly laid stress in my writings on
the importance of irrigation in combating several of our worst insect enemies, and
aside from its benefits in this direction, every recurrence of a droughty year, such as
the present, in large portions of the United States, convinces me of its importauce as
a means of guarding against failure of crops from excessive drought. I am glad to
know that many farmers, and especially small fruit-growers in the vicinity of New
York, are preparing in one way or another for irrigation whenever it becomes nec-
essary, and I was pleased to hear Dr. Hexamer, at the late meeting of the American
Pomological Society, urge a general system of irrigation as the most profitable invest-
ment the cultivator can make in a climate subject to such periods of drought as
ours is known to be.
Burning.—In addition to winter Bare the remedy can be used to
good effect in other cases. For instance where the attack of the bugs
appears to be confined to a definite portion of the field, that portion
should be overlaid with straw and burned, if not too large. Another
pertinent suggestion is made by Dr. Thomas in Bulletin 5, U. 8. E. C.,
and this has the indorsement of practical use by certain Illinois farmers.
If it is found at the time wheat is harvested that the bugs have not taken their de-
parture, as is the case in the winter-wheat section, this fact may be taken advantage
of to destroy a very large portion of them. If the wheat is at once thrashed and the
straw scattered over the stubble and burned, it will destroy all or most of those that
are there. I know of one section of southern I|linois where this has been practiced for
a number of years by the German farmers with good results.
This remedy is very practical and doubtless can be used to good effect
under such circumstances.
The following experiments in burning were made the past season at
Ames, Iowa, by Professor Osborn, and the account is taken from his
manuscript report:
On Jaly 16 the stubble adjoining a corn field was observed to contain large numbers
of bugs traveling toward corn. In the afternoon this migration was going on quite
actively, and asthe stubble was now quite dry it was fired with a view of destroying bugs
remaining in it. Where tolerably thick, and when there was a fair breeze, it burned
readily, but it was necessary to take some pains in carrying the tlame along past thin
spots to keep it from dying out. A considerable portion of the field, however, was
successfully burned over, and the dead bodies of many bugs not completely consumed,
which could easily be found on examining the burnt area, testified to the destruction
of hosts of the pests. The bugs thus killed were mostly young larvx, the majority of
the adults and larger larve and the pupe having already moved out. The number
destroyed, however, must, 1 think, have well repaid the little trouble necessary to
burn the stubble.
Early in August the bugs had so multipled ina field of Hungarian grass that no
further growth seemed probable, and most of the field was mown and the hay secured.
A narrow strip, however, was left next the corn, the plan being to burn this as soon
_ as bugs began passing to the corn. When the bugs started, however (August 13),
the grass was not dry enough to burn except in spots. In such places as would burn,
however, hosts of bugs were consumed. This strip was at once mown, and after dry-
ing a few hours another attempt made to burn it, as also on the following day; but
portions were still too green to burn rapidly, and, unfortunately for the experiment,
38 THE CHINCH BUG.
the two or three days following were not hot and dry enough to render it fit to burn
readily. A few days later, however, on adry day with a fair breeze, most of the strip
remaining unburnt was burned over, and examination showed that great numbers of
young bugs remaining were destroyed. Bugs, if under ground or secreted in roots of
stubble, will not be killed; hence to destroy greatest numbers, as well as to secure
mo:t rapid burning, the fire should be started in the hottest part of a dry day, when
bugs in greatest number will be moving.
Prevention of Migration—direct Remedies during and after Migration
As has been so often pointed out, a great deal can be done in the
way of destroying the insects at the time when they migrate from
the wheat fields, towards the close of the first generation, to corn and
other neighboring crops.
Ditching.—As long ago as Le Baron’s first paper and as Fitch’s second
report the method of digging a ditch or plowing a furrow around the
infested field was in vogue. If a plowed furrow be made the perpen-
dicular side should be towards the field to be protected and the earth
should be kept friable by dragging a log or brush occasionally through
it, or, better still, a triangular weighted trough. The migrating bugs
will fail to climb the side of the furrow and will fall back into it, where
they can be covered with straw and burned. With care and activity
the neighboring fields can be thus protected.
A modification of this plan appears in an unplaced newspaper cut-
ting in our possession. It is as follows:
When they first appear, as they usually do, on the side of the corn field, and be-
fore they have entered it, cut five or six rows of the corn and clear the ground; then
plow a strip of land 8 or 10 feet wide, leaving a deep furrow inthe center of the same.
Then take the corn stalks which were taken from the land, and place them across the
dead furrow, and the trap is complete. When the bugs approach the field, they will
pass in under the corn placed across the dead furrow, and, preferring the shade and
moisture, remain there until the stalks become perfectly dry, when they can be put
through a process of cremation that will prove effectual in destroying them. Should
they first appear in the middle of a field of corn (as it not unfrequently happensthey do),
they can be surrounded on the foregoing plan and destroyed in the same way. This
plan we consider the most practical of any that has come under our observation, and
is corroborated to some extent by the experience of J. W. Martin, an observing farmer,
whose experiments are given in the Osage Mission (Kans.) Journal.
Tarred Boards or Tar alone.—The plan has been adopted and is recom-
mended in the reports of Professor Riley and others of using common
fence boards—6 inches wide or less—setting them upon edge and mak-
ing a barrier of them around the infested tields, care being taken to cover
the fower edge so that the bugs will not crawl under them. The upper
edge is spread with fresh tar, which is occasionally renewed. Vast num-
bers are taken out from holes dug at intervals on the hitherside of the
barrier, in which the marching armies collect. Commenting upon this
remedy Professor Riley says: ‘‘with a little care to keep the tar moist
by renewal the boards may be dispensed with and the tar poured out
of a kettle on to the ground; about a gallon is required to the rod, and
it should be renewed every other day, oftener when rains prevail, until
THE CHINCH BUG. — «89
the bugs are destroyed.” According to Dr. Le Baron this method was
extensively used in the central part of Illinois and especially in the
vicinity of the Bloomington gas works in 1872. He saw thé operation
performed near Bloomington, where the tar was poured from an old
tea-kettle on the ground along the exposed sides of a corn-field. This
remedy, however, will seldom be used on account of its expense, except
in such situations as that mentioned, where the tar can be readily and
cheaply procured.
Sowing Strips of Plants distasteful to the Bugs around the Fields to be
protected.—This remedy has been urged by certain authors, and the crops
to be used as barriers are preferably Flax, Hemp, Clover, and Buckwheat.
The effect of this will be to deter and destroy the migrating individuals
and cause the death of the young ones by starvation. It is, however,
not a thorough remedy, and is not to be compared with the more direct
remedies which caused the almost complete destruction of the insect.
Sowing Strips of fwwored Food around the Fields to be protected.— A strip
of Timothy, Hungarian grass, or Millet may be sown around the corn-
field to good advantage with the object of entrapping the migrating
bugs by plowing it under and burning the ground over when it has be-
come filled with the migrating armies in transit. The bugs of the first
generation, which are full grown, will lay their eggs by preference in
this protective strip, and these will be destroyed by the plowing and
burning.
Hot Water and Soap-suds.—The application of strong soap suds to the
insects when gathered upon the outer rows of corn was recommended by
a writer in the Southern Planter many years ago, and was also given
by Dr. Fitch. Statement is made that a half gill or a gill poured upon
each stalk will kill them all, and that the labor is not half so great as a
single hoeing of the crop. Hot water has been recommended for a
similar purpose by subsequent writers.
Kerosene Emulsion.—A new and, under certain circumstances, very effi-
cacious remedy for the Chinch Bug was introduced when Professor
Riley, in 1882, first suggested to Professor Forbes the advisability of ex-
perimenting with this substance upon this insect. Professor Forbes’s
first experiments were reported to this Division and the results were
published in Bulletin No. 2 (February, 1883), pages 23 to 25. The fol-
lowing solutions were used in these experiments:
Solutions with which dilutions were made: (1) Soap-suds, 1 pound soap to 10 gal-
lons water ; (2) soap-suds, 1 pound soap to 20 gallons water ; (3) potash, 1 pound to
50 gallons water.
EMULSIONS AS DILUTED.
Per cent. of kerosene.
A. 2 parts kerosene, 1 pars milk, 45 parts water (about).................-......- 4
Belipart kerosene, lo part milk, 18 parts, water. 252... o-0 020006 acue cece esse ance 5
CimiSpartvykerosene,, partamilk, V8) parts solution 122. o..2.6 sc. 020-2262 secs een 5
D. 1 part kerosene, 1 part milk, 38 parts solution 2-.....--........22-..0----02-- 24
Eealjpartykerosene;, l pant mill, 38 parts watets.2-5. <<... 56..-2c2n.ossece oeec one e 24
Be 1 part kerosene, 1 part milk, 38 parts solution 3.........-...00---500 s-++-oes 24
G: I part kerosene, 1 part milk, 30 parts solution 2.......2.. 2-200 --22 000 scores 3
40 THE CHINCH BUG.
All of these were efficacious. Fortunately at the time when such ap-
plication is to be made, viz, just after wheat harvest, heip is abundant
and the work can be done at areasonable expense. Experiments made
by Professor Forbes show that a simple mechanical mixture of one part
of kerosene to three of water will kill the bugs and will not injure half-
grown corn if it is kept constantly agitated. But the original soap
emulsion, recommended so often in the reports of this Department and
made according to the formula originally proposed by Mr. Hubbard,
will be much safer and will do thorough work. It will do no harm to
repeat this formula:
IGYQsANO 20. lacs cee aeckep nears ee eee Se een 2 gallons = 67 per cent.
Common soap,or whale-oil soapese +2 essere Seats cai ine =e = 4+ pound
WiSUEBD po ec erode alebcerdes oes euceee setae vita emer te sees 1 gallon == Deron
Heat the solution of soap and add it boiling hot to the kerosene.
Churn the mixture by means of a force-pump and spray-nozzle for five
or ten minutes. The emulsion, if perfect, forms a cream which thickens
on cooling, and should adhere without oilivess to the surface of glass,
Dilute before using one part of the emulsion with nine parts of cold
water. The above formula gives 3 gallons of emulsion and makes,
when diluted, 30 gallons of wash.
We realize the objections to recommending anything complicated in
the way of a mixture and of apparatus for applying it, and in conse-
quence we may state, as showing that an ingenious individual who is
in earnest need not be hindered by lack of a proper apparatus for apply-
ing this mixture, the experience of Maj. R. S. Tucker, of Raleigh, N.C., .
as published in the News and Observer, and in a special bulletin of the
State Department of Agriculture, Raleigh, June 29, 1887. His letter
stated in brief that having tried a number of remedies he learned of the
kerosene emulsion at a time when the pest was most abundant upon
the outer rows of corn. Not having any force pump or spray-nozzle with
which to churn the emulsion, he whipped the mixture in a large recep-
tacle with a bunch of twigs for ten or fifteen minutes and then applied
it to his outer rows of corn with a common water-sprinkler. The results
were admirable, and certainly he deserved success for his trial.
Another practical test was made by Professor Atkinson, and reported
upon in the bulletin just mentioned, as follows:
Mr. William F. Stroud, of Chapel Hill, hada field of wheat which was infested
with the chinch bugs. When the wheat was harvested they immediately betook them-
selves to the corn which was adjacent. Some of the corn stalks for 1 foot or 18 inches
above ground were literally black with the mass of insects, and sometimes when they
could not be seen outside they were found in great numbers between the sheath of the
blade and the stalk.
{Here follows the kerosene-soap emulsion formula just given.]
I found these proportions made the liquid a little weak, and I diluted in the pro-
portion of six parts of cold water to one of the emulsion. The application of this to
THE CHINCH BUG. Al
the corn, June 25, was a perfect success in killing the bugs, and the corn was examined
later and was found to have sustained not the slightest injury.*
In my experiment I used a spraying apparatus, manufactured by A. H. Nixon, Day-
ton, Ohio, which consists of a square tank, which has a capacity of 8 gallons, with
with a force-pump hose and spray-nozzle attached. This machine (called the Lit-
tle Gem) was placed upon a rough sled made for the purpose, which was drawn be-
tween the rows by a mule.
As the spraying apparatus produced too wide a stream to apply the liquid rapidly
and effectively to the stalks of corn, I removed the spraying portion of the nozzle and
used the part which produces a very narrow but strong stream (one-sixteenth of an
inch in diameter). The liquid would run down the stalks and between the sheath
of the blade and stalk, killing instantly the hundreds of insects with which it came
in contact. The two rows were sprayed as far as the stream would reach on each
side, and then the mule moved on to stop for another application. In this way the
corn was gone over very rapidly. Where a force-pump can be obtained it is better
to apply it with this, but the nozzle should be very small, so as to throw a very nar-
row stream or spray directly against the stalk. Ifa force-pump can not be obtained,
a common watering pot, with a narrow nozzle, could be used very effectively. Sev-
eral of these could be used, the operators going quite rapidly from one stalk or hill
to another.
There is no reason why all should not get rid of the chinch bug on corn, for a fail-
ure to kill the bugs would arise from some fault in the application, and the applica-
tion can be made cheaper than a dressing of the corn could be made with the hoe.
This application was made late in June, and Mr. Stroud reported
several times later in the season that nothing more had been seen of
the bugs, and Professor Atkins on, visiting the field October 17, found
no Chinch Bugs in the corn-stalks where the emulsion was used, nor in
the neighboring Crab-grass. Some were found, however, about 40 rods
away in some late corn, but they were few in number.
Professor Osborn’s experiments with kerosene emulsions, made dur-
ing the summer at our request at Ames, Iowa, are reported by him as
follows:
A number of trials were made with kerosene emulsion first with a view to testing
its value under various conditions, and afterward for the sake of checking the dam-
age threatened to corn.
The first trial was made July 15, the emulsion used being the common one, consist-
ing of kerosene, soap, and water diluted to about 5 per cent. kerosene. The bugs
were killed very quickly by this application, and great numbers of them could be
reached, but many in particularly secreted places, in folds of leaves and under lumps
of earth, escaped. Thrown on to the leaves and running down between leaf and
stalk, it dislodged and killed immense numbers. Thrown against stalks where they
were congregated it would quickly dislodge the mass, and while it was impossible to
see whether all driven off in this way were sufficiently wet to kill them, it was cer-
tain that most of them were. This application was at the rate of about 1 gallon of
emulsion or 12 gallons of the dilnted mixture to 5 rows of corn for 32 rods, or what
would equal 5 gallons of emulsion, 60 gallons of diluted mixture to the acre, or a cost
for material of less than 60 cents peracre. In trials of the emulsion diluted to range
from 2 per cent. to 7 per cent. of kerosene, less than 4 or 5 per cent. was found to be
unsatisfactory, and at the lowest figure bugs even when thoroughly drenched and
kept for a time in the fluid were able to recover. A mixture (about 2 per cent., pos-
* Professor Atkinson has since written that subsequent tests convinced him that one
part of the emulsion to nine of water made the mixture quite strong enough.—L.
O. 8G
42 THE CHINCH BUG.
sibly a little less) which killed plant lice almost instantly, affected chinch bugs but
slightly, if at all, and they afterward recovered and lived in confinement for many
days.
On August 15 applied kerosene emulsion to bugs accumulating on corn, using an
emulsion diluted to contain about 6 per cent. kerosene and spraying with cyclone
nozzle. Great numbers of bugs could be found dead within a few minutes after ap-
plication, and on the following day hosts of dead could be found on the ground
around the hills treated. In places, however, the stalks had become well covered by
live bugs that had moved in to fill the place of the slain.
Subsequently the farm department applied it on a larger scale, using 5 to 6 per cent.
emulsion, and spraying from barrels in a wagon, one man working the force-pump
and another manipulating the hose and cyclone nozzle, walking rapidly among the
hills of corn and directing the spray upon the masses of bugs. This resulted in the
destruction of great numbers. In this application the cyclone nozzle was found by
all means most satisfactory. :
I suggested its trial to some of my correspondents, and one letter received in reply
is of sufficient interest to be noted:
CAMBRIDGE, Iowa, July 20, 1887.
Dear Sir: Your most satisfactory letter received some time since. The conclusion
is.a success; it was instant death to the chinch bugs. But it takes so much when
you want to go over five or six acres that one can not stand the expense. It could be
stood to go over it once or twice if I could have got the bugsall on the corn, but they
would a part stay on the corn while the rest would lie under sods and anything else
that would protect them from the sun. When your letter reached us they had left
the wheat (which they fully destroyed), and had gone into the corn, which they killed
for ten or twelve rows in some places, and some places not so far. Then they
scattered over more territory for a time, but now they have left the corn (almost),
having flown away, I think. I am under obligations to you for your kindness.
Very respectfully,
J. E. WARREN.
Professor OSBORN,
Ames, lowa.
The use of kerosene can hardly be expected to prove of valne except when the bugs
are massing on corn. At this time, application to an acre or two of the field next
to stubble may do much to save the rest of the field. By-arranging nozzles with
special reference to most efficient work in corn rows, and while corn is small enough
to drive a team in the field astride of one row, I think spraying can be done quite
thoroughly at a cost of 30 to 40 cents per acre for material.
A cyclone nozzle, with pressure sufficient to do good work, discharges about 1 pint
of liquid per minute. Adjusting three nozzles to play upon one row of corn, one each
side, and one from above, and allowing teams to walk slowly 2 miles per hour, and it
wiil take 30 gallons of liquid per acre, which, using 5 to 6 per cent. emulsion, costs
about 30 cents, exclusive of labor, which for team and man an hour and a quarter
would be about 40 cents more. First cost of force pump must, of course, be consid-
ered; the cost of labor on the farm, however, where the farmer uses his own team
and does the managing of apparatus himself, might be counted less. By using only
two nozzles or by driving faster the expense will be lessened.
BOGUS CHINCH BUGS.
Professor Riley figures and describes in his Seventh Report on the
Insects of Missouri fourspecies of Heteroptera which are frequently mis-
taken for the Chinch Bug and are often the cause of unnecessary alarm.
We here reproduce the figures of these species. The first is the False
Chinch Bug (Nysius augustatus Uhl., Fig. 8), which was frequently sent
s
THE CHINCH BUG. 43
to Professor Riley. Itis found all over the country and occasionally dam-
ages certain crops quite seriously—grapevines, strawberries, potatoes,
young apple grafts, and all cruciferous plants.
It is also very fond of Purslane and, as men-
tioned elsewhere in this report, it is found
in California congregating under Polygonum.
Itis the insect which caused the alarm in Cal-
ifornia in 1885. It was originally described
by Uhler under the name above given, but
was subsequently redescribed by Mr. Wil-
liam R. Howard as Nysius raphani and by
Professor Riley as Vysius destructor. Profes-
: CL FALSE CHINCH BuG:—b, pupa; ¢,
sor Riley’s description was, however, drawn mature bug. [After Riley.]
up with Mr. Uhbler’s sanction, as the latter
author at that time considered that the form described by Professor
Riley might be distinct.
The Insidious Flower-bug (Triphleps insidiosus Say, Fig. 6) is another
of these bogus Chinch Bugs. It is also a very wide-spread insect, and
so far from being injurious it is one of the comparatively few insects
which prey upon the Chinch Bug.
The Ash-gray Leaf-bug (Piesma cinerea Say, Fig. 9) is another wide-
spread species which occasionally damages grape blossoms in early
spring, but lives principally upon forest trees and
[Mig-.2.] shrubs. This species is also often mistaken for our
insect.
The Flea-like Negro-bug (Corimelena pulicaria
Germ., Fig. 10) is the fourth.
Its appearance is more different from the Chinch
Bug than any of the insects mentioned under this
head, as is plainly shown by the figure. It feeds
abundantly upon the fruit of the Raspberry and punc-
tures also the stem of the Strawberry and the blos-
soms, leaves, and fruit-stems of the Cherry and Quince.
ae ae It is also injurious to certain garden flowers and to cer-
tain weeds, among which Professor Riley mentions
Ceanothus americanus and Veronica peregrina.
We may mention under this head the rather (Fig. 10. ]
curious fact that the Striped Flea-beetle—Systena
elongata Fab.—was found the past season in great
abundance in company with Chinch Bugs in fields
infested by the latter in Nebraska by Mr. Bruner.
They appeared to be working upon grass and upon r
the wild Buckwheat. Their appearance accompa- FLEA-LIKE NEGRO-BUG.
nying the Chinch Bug had, of course, no especial eer
significance, but at the same time occurring in such a way they were
liable to be mistaken for another form of the Chinch Bug.
>
44 THE CHINCH BUG.
BIBLIOGRAPHICAL LIST.
[This is simply a list of the more importaut of the Chinch-bug articles. No men-
tion is made of a very large number which we have seen, but which contain nothing
new or original. Every progressive step of knowledge is mentioned in some one of
the articles here mentioned. ]
1831. Say, Tuomas. Lygaus leucopterus. Descriptions of new species of Heterop-
terous Hemiptera of North America, New Harmony, Ind., Dec. 183i. Com-
plete writings. Ed. by LeConte, Vol. I, p. 329.
(Original description ; described from a single specimen taken in Virginia.)
1845. PRAIRIE FARMER, V., 227.
(Injuries in Hancock County, Illinois.)
PRAIRIE FARMER, V., 287. Chinch Bugs.
(Injuries in Tazewell County, Illinois. An account of their season’s history.)
1846. PRAIRIE FarMER, VI., 134. The Chinch Bug.
(Injuries in Sangamon County, Lllinois.)
PRAIRIE FARMER, VI., 245. Chinch Bugs.
(Injuries in Cass County, Illinois.)
1850. Le Baron, WM. Rhyparochromus devastator. Prairie Farmer, Vol. X, p. 200.
(Described imago, and proposes specific name devastator; mentions that eggs are de-
posited on roots; points out its destructive characters as an insect enemy.)
1851: PRAIRIE FARMER, XI., 335. The Chinch Bug.
(Distribution within the State of Illinois.)
1852. Harris, T. W. Rhyparochromus leucopterus. Treatise on insects of Massa-
chusetts.
(Describes briefly imago; speaks of distribution and injuries. Recoras finding in his
garden in 1852.)
1855. Fircu, Asa. Micropus leucopterus. The Cultivator, 3d series, III, 237-239.
(Correspondent writes from Indiana. Fitch gives account of habits and injuries, past
history, and nomenclature. )
1856. Fircu, Asa. Micropus leucopterus. Second Rep. Ins. N. Y., pp. 227-297, Piate
IV, figs. 2 and 28,
(Gives 1783 as date when first known as insect depredator on wheat in North Carolina.
Notes its occurrence at several times during next fifty years in such numbers as to
nearly destroy the wheat crop. Farmers ceased to plant wheat for a couple of years
as only knownremedy. Alludes todrought which prevailed during period of injury,
and their destruction by wet weather, 1840. First attracted attention in Western
States, 1840-’44. Describes young larve. Mentions briefly a namber of varieties.
Gives history of nomenclature. Suggests spraying infested fields with water asa
practical remedy.)
1857. SIGNORET, V. Micropus leucopterus Say. Essai monographique du Genre Micro-
pus, Spinola, Ann. Soc. Ent. de France, V, 3d series, p. 31.
(A technical description from specimens received from New York and Cuba.)
1861. WALSH, B. D. Chinch Bug. Insects injurious to Vegetation in Illinois,
Trans. Il). State Agr. Soc., Vol. 4, 1859-60, pp. 346-349.
(First notice of four Ladybird enemies of the Chinch Bug. Figures Hipp. maculata, and
Coccinella munda.)
1862. Harris, T. W. Rhyparochromus leucopterus. Insects injurious to Vegetation,
3d ed., pp. 197-200, fig. 84. (See under 1852.)
1865. Ritey, C. V. The Chinch Bug. Prairie Farmer, September 19, 1865.
(Exposes the fallacy of a reported observation by Mr. D. H. Sherman in the Waukegan
Gazette, to the effect that the eggs are laid upon the wheat-head.)
1866.
1866.
1866.
1866,
1867.
1869.
1869.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1872.
1872.
1872.
THE CHINCH BUG. 45
WatsH, B.D. Chinch Bugs. Practical Entomologist, Vol. I, p. 95.
(Prints a clipping from Prairie Farmer, stating that the ‘‘bugs” had been successfully
fenced out of a field by putting boards on edge around it and coating eee edge.
with coal-tar.)
WatsH, B. D. Micropus (Lygeus) leucopterus. Pract. Ent., Vol. II, p. 21.
(Notices specimens of short-winged variety from Canada.)
Ritey, C.V. Chinch Bug. Pract. Ent., Vol. I, No. 6, p. 47.
(Exposes fallacy of a current theory that the eggs are deposited on the grain, and fields
become infested from its use. Gives methods of depositing eggs and states that
there are two generations in northern Illinois, and possibly three in more southern
latitudes.)
Ritey, C.V. The Chinch Bug. Prairie Farmer, Mar. 3, 1866.
(Devoted principally to remedies, recommending ditching, winter work, mixing rye or
tame grass with spring wheat.)
SHIMER, HENRY. Micropus (Lygeus) leucopterus. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.,
Vol. XIX, pp. 75-80.
(Full journal account of observations during 1864~’65 in Illinois. Conclusions as to
causes of their destruction in 1865.) Page 234. (Reference to epidemic.)
WatsH & RILEY. Micropus leucopterus. Am. Ent., Vol. I, pp. 169-177, fig. 122.
(Popular inferences, past history, natural history, checks to multiplication; review of
Dr. Shimer’s prophecies about appearance.)
IBID., pp. 194-199, figs. 138, 139.
(Predaceous foes of, damage done by, remedies for; summary of conclusions : (1) they
hibernate in imago stage in rubbish, which should be burned; (2) early sowing in
spring is an advantage; (3) compacting the soilacts as preventive; (4) heavy rains al-
Ways injure or entirely destroy them.)
PACKARD, A.S., Jr. Blissus leucopterus. Guideto the Study of Insects, pp. 543,
544, fig. 547.
(Describes imago, life history, injuries of; epidemic diseases of 1865. Cites its occur-
rence in Maine and at summit of Mount Washington. Notices the theory that wet
weather during breeding season is destructive to them.)
RILey, C. V. Micropus leucopterus. 2d Rep. State Ent. Mo., pp. 15-37, figs. 1
and 2.
(An extended account and the best yet published ; discusses past history, natural history,
destructive powers, heavy rains, natural enemies, amount of damage, remedies, and
bogus Chinch Bugs.)
GLOVER, TOWNEND. LRhyparochromus (Micropus) leucopterus. Rep. Com. Agr.,
1870, p. 89. ‘
(Refers to observations of others as to deposition of eggs, etc.)
BETHUNE, C. J. 8S. Micropus leucopterus. Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont., 1871, p. 55.
(Refers to accounts of early history, habits, enemies of, natural remedies, etc.)
LE Baron, WILLIAM. Micropus leucopterus. 2d Rep. St. Ent. IIl.,1871, pp.
142-156.
(Estimates loss from depredations current year in Illinois ten and one-half millions dol-
lars; treats of their prevention and destruction under five heads: (1) natural enemies,
(2) early sowing, (3) preventing migrations, (4) destroying Pe burning rubbish, (5)
cease cultivating the affected crops.)
GLOVER, TOWXEND. Rhyparochromus leucopterus. Rep. Com. Agr., 1871, p. 84.
(Merely refers to its injuries in Western States and mentions salt being used as a
remedy.)
Lr BARON, WILLIAM. Chinch Bug. Experience of 1372. Prairie Farmer,
August 24.
(Believes that a sufficient number of these insects hibernate under dead leaves in the
woods to perpetuate the species; also that the wet spring of 1872 destroyed large
numbers of the Chinch Bugs.)
46 THE CHINCH BUG.
1874. GLOVER, TOWNEND. Micropus (Rhyparochromus) leucopterus. Rep. U. S. Com.
Agr. 1872, p. 121.
(Mentions injuries in Western States to Corn, Wheat, Sorghum, ete.; three broods re-
ported observed in Missouri.)
1874. JoHNSON, B. F. Chinch Bug. Country Gent., Vol. XXXIX, p. 661.
(Abundant in central Illinois. Stock was poisoned by eating fodder. Suggests sow-
ing plats of noxious plants, Tobacco, Night-shade, Henbane, Stramonium, Hemp-
etc., to assist in checking their ravages.)
1875. GLOVER, TOWNEND. Micropus (Rhyparochromus) leucopterus. Rep. Com. Agr.,
1874, pp. 127, 128.
(Gives localities in Southern and Western States where reported as injurions.)
1875. Ritey, C. VY. Micropus leucopterus. 7th Rep. State Ent. Mo., pp. 19-50; appen-
dix, pp. 51-71, figs. 2, 3, and 4.
(Résumé of previous history, full descriptions of various stages, natural history, extended
account of injuries in 1874, exhaustive discussion of preventive measures and reme-
dies, mentions irrigation, predaceous enemies. Appendix, correspondence of farm-
ers relating to 1874 damage.)
1875, RitEy, C. V. Locusts vs. Chinch Bugs. N.Y. Weekly Tribune, August 4, 1875.
(A letter from Lyons, France, remarking upon the abundance of Chinch Bugs and allay-
ing fears as to great destruction by them.)
1876. UHLER, P. R. Blissus leucopterus. List of Hemiptera of the region west of the
Mississippi River, including those collected during the Hayden explorations
of 1873. Bulletin U.S. Geol. and Geog. Sur. Terr., I, second series, No. 2, p. 306.
(Mere mention, with a list of localities.) f
1877, PACKARD, A.S., Jr. Blissus leucopterus. 9th Rep. Geol. and Geog. Sur. Terr.,
1875, pp. 697-699, fig. 4 and map.
(Refers to its destructiveness in the Western States, quotes estimates of different State
Entomologists, notices briefly some of the remedies.)
1878. THOMAS, Cyrus. Blissus leucopterus. 7th Rep. State Ent. Iil., pp. 40-71, 2 figs.
(Résumé of history, natural history, descriptions, etc. Two brooded in northern Illinois,
possibly three in southern Illinois. Remedies and general discussion of same).
1879. RitEy, C. V. Entomological Notes. The Chinch Bug. Farmers’ Review
(Chicago), February, 1879.
(Discusses weather influence and advances parallel between Rocky Mountain Locust and
Chinch Bug. Review of life history and summary of facts from Seventh Rept. Ins.
Mo. Prediction of bugs in 1879 if weather prove dry.)
1879. THOMAS, Cyrus. Blissus leucopterus. Bull. U.S. Ent.Com.No.5. Ten figures,
map showing distribution.
(Exhaustive résumé of present knowledge with facts concerning injuries, natural his-
tory, predaceous enemies, full discussion of preventive and remedial measures.)
1880. Kansas STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. Quarterly Report for the quarter
ending June 30, 1820, Topeka, July 20, p. 61.
(An account of damage to Sorghum.)
1880. THomas, Cyrus. Temperature and Rainfall as affecting the Chinch Bug.
Am. Ert. New series. Vol. I, pp. 240-242, with diagram.
(Condensation of his theory about periodicity of seasons of drought and their relation to
appearance of this insect.)
1881. THomas, Cyrus. The Relation of Meteorological Conditions to Insect De-
velopment. 10th Rep. State Ent. Ill., pp. 47-59, with diagram.
(Discusses theory of Septennary Cycles of Meteorological conditions; believes it possi-
ble to predict with considerable certainty the season when Chinch Bugs will appear
in injurious numbers.)
1881. RiLEy, C. V. Am. Nat., October, p. 820.
(Calls attention to the verification of Prof. Cyrus Thomas's prediction that this would be
a bad Chinch-Bug year. )
1881.
1882.
1882.
1882.
1882.
1882.
1883.
1883.
- 1883.
1883.
1883.
1883.
1884.
1884.
1885.
1885.
1885.
1885.
THE CHINCH BUG. 47
Ritgy,C. V. Am. Agriculturist, Nov. and Dec., 1881.
(Reviews natural history and remedies, and discusses the practicability of irrigation as a
remedy.)
Howarp, L. O. Rep. U.S. Dept. Agr., 1881-82, p. 137.
(Mentions it as infesting Rice affected by ‘‘ white blast.’’)
Ritey, C. V. Chinch Bug Notes. Rept. Ent., Ann. Rept. U.S. Dept. Agr.,
1881-82, pp. 87-89.
(Calls attention to Professor Thomas’s prediction of injury during 1881 and the fact that
it was partially fulfilled ; discusses briefly remedies and methods of prevention.)
Forsss, 8. A. Bacterium. A parasite of the Chinch Bug. Am. Nat. Vol. XVI,
p. 824.
(Account of discovery of parasitic disease among Chinch Bugs.)
ForseEs, 8. A. Blissus leucopterus. 12th Rep. State Ent. I1l., pp. 32-63, fig. 6.
(Gives full account of observations on life history, etc., for the year, insect enemies,
a new insect enemy, bird enemies, account of observation on a bacterium para-
site. Experiments in drenching with water under artificial conditions (not fully
carried out), report of experiments with topical applications.)
Ritey, C. V. The Chinch Bug. Am. Agriculturist, p. 476, 3 figs.
(General account of, habits and natural history, meteorological conditions affecting.)
LINTNER, J. A. Cir. No. 1, N. Y. St. Mus. Nat. Hist.
(Directions for arresting Chinch Bug invasion of northern New York.)
LINTNER, J. A. The Chinch Bug in New York. Country Gent., Nov. 8, 1883.
(Directions for co-operation among farmers to prevent ravages coming year.)
Forses, 8. A. Experiments on Chinch Bug. U.S. Dept. Agr., Div. Ent., Bull.
IN‘on 2:
Memoranda of experiments with kerosene emulsion and mixtures, made at the sugges-
tion of Professor Riley ; found them quite effective.
ForBEs, 8. A. Entomological Notes of the Season. State Dept. Agr., Cir. 106,
Ill., crops for 1883, p. 177.
(Notes the deposition of eggs for first brood on the roots of Indian Corn.)
SAUNDERS, WM. Micropus leucopterus. Rep. Ent. Soc. Ont., pp. 59-62.
(Account of appearance in New York; quotes from Lintner.)
RILEY, C. V. Chinch Bug in New York. Science, Vol. II, 1883, p. 621.
(Cites facts to show that their appearance in New York is not an invasion, but extraor-
dinary development of the species, dependent upon climatic conditions. j
RiveEy, C. V. The Chinch Bugin New York State. American Naturalist, Jan.,
1884, Vol. XVIII, p. 79-80.
(A reprint of an unplaced article in Scientific American criticising Dr. Lintner’s conclu-
sions as to reasons for alarm in northern New York.)
LINTNER, J. A. 37th Ann. Rep. N. Y. St. Mus. Nat. Hist., pp. 53-60.
(Not seen.)
BRUNER, LAWRENCE. Blissus leucopterus. Rept. Ent., Ann. Rept. Dept. Agr.,
1884, p. 399.
(Cites an instance where large numbers disappeared immediately after a heavy rain.)
Ritey, C. V. Chinch Bug Notes. Rept. Ent., Ann. Rept. Dept. Agr., 1884,
pp. 405-405.
(Refers to occurrence in New York and considers that there is no cause for alarma; pre-
dicts they will attract no further notice.)
ForsBes, 8. A. Ent. Calendar. 14th Rep. St. Ent., Ill., pp. 4-5.
(Notes on life history for year 1884.)
LINTNER, J. A. Blissus leucopterus. 2nd Rept. State Ent., N. Y., pp. 148-164;
figs. 37-38, 39 and 40.
(Account of its occurrence in northern New York, résumé of its history, life history,
remedial measures employed and recommended.)
48 THE CHINCH BUG.
1886. Hunt, THomas F. Blissus leucopterus. Bibliography of insects injurious to
corn. Misc. Essays on Economic Ent., Ill. St. Bd. Agr., 1885.
1886. WrBSTER, F. M. Blissus leucopterus. Insects affecting Fall Wheat. Rept. of
Ent., Ann. Rept. Dept. Agr. 1885, p. 318.
(A brief record of Chinch Bug observations during the season. Records Mermis as
a possible parasite. )
1886. Forses, 8. A. Chinch Bug in Illinois. Circular of information from the
office of State Entomologist.
1887. BRUNER, LAWRENCE. Notes of the season. Bull. No. 13, Div. Ent., U.S. Dept.
Agr., pp. 34, 35.
(Brief notices of their appearance in Western States in 1886.)
1887. ForBEs, 8. A. The present condition and prospects of the Chinch Bug in I}li-
nois for 1887-88. Bull. No.2 of the State Entomologist.
(Speaks of ravages for three years past, life history, food- piu preventive remedial
measures exhaustively discussed.)
)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BuLLETIN No. 18.
THE LIFE
HNTOMOLOGICAL WORK
OF THE LATE
TOWNEND GLOVER,
FIRST ENTOMOLOGIST OF THE U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
PREPARED, UNDER DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST,
BY
CHARLES RICHARDS DODGE.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1888.
Wes DEPARTMENT -OF AGRICULTURE:
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 18.
PELE, sea BE
AND
HNTOMOLOGICAL WORK
OF THE LATE
poe INGE) Gl) VER,
FIRST ENTOMOLOGIST OF THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
PREPARED, UNDER DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST,
BY
CHARLES RICHARDS DODGE.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1888.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., December 5, 1887.
Sir: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 18 of
this division, being an account of the life and work of the late Townend
Glover, my predecessor as United States Entomologist, prepared by
Charles Richards Dodge. I had for some time thought of preparing a
full bibliographical list of Glover’s writings with a general index
thereto, because of the usefulness of such a publication in the work of
the Division. Such a compilation would naturally lead to some brief
statement of Mr. Glover’s character, and especially of his official life,
and I would here acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr. Glover’s widow
and to his cousins in London for their kindness in furnishing informa-
tion. Mr. Dodge has fortunately been willing to relieve me of a task
which he is far more able to accomplish, not only because of the data
he has collected, but by virtue of his long and intimate relations, both
private and official, with Mr. Glover, who could certainly have had no
more appreciative biographer. 1 trust that the bulletin may prove ae-
ceptable and useful to all interested in economic entomology.
Respectfully,
C. V. RILEY,
Entomologist.
Hon. NoRMAN J. COLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Boston, MAss., December 1, 1887.
DEAR Sie: In undertaking to tell the story of Mr. Glover’s life, I feel
that, while it is a pleasant privilege to be able to review such interest-
ing reminiscences of our long acquaintance as may bear upon the man
and his work, the account must be necessarily imperfect and incomplete
in portions from lack of important data.
The facts regarding his boyhood life are gleaned from your visits to,
and correspondence with, Mr. C.G. Oates and Mr. Abram Clapham, of
London, England—Mr. Oates’s mother and Mr. Clapham being Mr.
Glover’s first cousins, the nearest English relatives who were living at
the time,—and also from early personal diaries and family papers;
loaned me by Mrs. Hopper.
Mrs. Glover has rendered me valuable aid by furnishing important in-
formation regarding dates, and by placing at my disposal a considerable
amount of documentary evidence relating to the middle period of his
life, which, with a few early letters and my own recollection of the man,
and of many conversations with him touching upon his personal history,
are the principal materials that have been available. I am also in-
debted to you for portions of the bibliography of his entomological
writings, prepared by Mr. B. P. Mann, and for your kind assistance in
other directions.
As the subject of this sketch was a man of great individuality, I have
thought it best to present the main facts ot his life in such manner as
will more fully bring out his personal attributes and peculiarities, and
leave the treatment of his entomological and museum work, or that
which bears directly on his connection with the Department of Agri-
culture, to special chapters. Some of the extracts or incidents may
seem trivial, but the make-up of the man embodies such diversity of
talent, and at the same time presents such originality, that it has seemed
best to use that material which will best show him forth as he was.
[ am yours, respectfully,
CHARLES RICHARDS DODGE.
Prof. CHARLES V. RILEY,
Entomologist, U. S. Department of Agriculture.
or
THE LIFE OF TOWNEND GLOVER.
Prof. Townend Glover, the first entomologist of the United States
Department of Agriculture, was born at Rio de Janeiro, February 20,
1813. His paternal grandfather was Mr. Samuel Glover, a merchant of
Leeds, England. His father, Mr. Henry Glover, an oniy son (though
there were several daughtefs) married Miss Mary Townend, of Leaming
Lane, Yorkshire, and was engaged in commercial pursuits at Rio de Ja-
neiro when Townend Glover wasborn. His mother dying, afterafew days
illness, when he was about six weeks old, he was sent to his relatives in
England; and, upon the death of his father, which occurred some six
years later, he was taken in charge of by his paternal grandmother
and maiden aunt in Leeds. Here his education began, as he was placed
in a private school of high reputation, of which the Rev. Mr. Holmes was
preceptor.
By nature the boy Townend was of a reserved disposition, making
few close friendships outside the immediate circle of his own family.
He was, nevertheless, abounding in high animal spirits, possessed of a
strong sense of fun and humor, which always made him an agreeable and
entertaining companion to those with whom he was wont to associate.
In his studies at school he showed a fair degree of aptness, and being
endowed with good abilities he is said to have acquitted himself with
unfailing credit, and without any special effort on his part.
Kven in boyhood his love for drawing showed itself, chiefly in cari-
eature of the people about him, admirably done at that early period, it
is said, his efforts sometimes bringing the youthful artist into trouble.
The beginning of his love for entomology dates back to these early
school-boy days, at which time, in company with the one congenial and
intimate friend of his boyhood, a lad with similar tastes, he was already
interested in making a collection of insects, which, it is said, he prepared
and mounted with skill. As a boy he was very clever with his hands
in anything requiring care and nicety, and was singularly quick and apt.
And not only was he drawn towards the insect world, but natural history
in all its branches, and even botany, had an early and peculiar fascina-
tion for him. Upon leaving school, we are told that young Glover was
prevailed upon by his friends to enter the warehouse of a firm of Leeds
merchants, with a view to acquiring a knowledge of the woolen goods
~
d
8
trade. Mr. Glover alludes to this in his diary (March 16, 1834) in char-
acteristic language, as follows:
Mr. C. this evening gave me my indentures of apprenticesbip to Thompson, Scarf
& Co., by which I find that £300 of my money is gone forever, merely to learn the
‘‘art and mystery” of a stuff merchant, a mystery I hope never to practice.
What other plans for his future may have been made for him, or were
entertained by himself at that time, are not known, though his aunt was
once very desirious that he should study for the ministry. In after-life
he frequently referred to this with satirical allusions to having beeu cut
out for the clergy ; and in a letter written to friends in England many
years after coming to America it is amusing to find a joking reference to
his clerical education. In his commercial life, with its exacting routine,
though utterly at variance with every instinct of his nature, he fulfilled
the duties which the position-entailed upon him conscientiously aad
with assiduity as long as he continued in ite The early discipline did
him no harm, if, indeed, it did not fit him for the life of most exacting
routine of his later years, to which, though self-imposed, he gave the
best years of his existence.
But there suddenly came an end to his commercial education, for at
the age of twenty-one, or as soon as he had reached his majority, he
shook himself free at once and forever from the trammels of business
life. .
His father had bequeathed him an ample fortune, but, as Mr. Glover
once gave the story to the writer, through the perfidy of his father’s
partners in business, or others associated with him in Rio, the fortune
had been dissipated, save a portion which, unknown to Mr. Glover,
until he had reached his majority, was reserved in trust by relatives
in England. Mr. Glover not only thought that he had been cheated
out of his patrimony, but on at least one occasion has intimated the
suspicion that his father’s death had occurred from other than natural
causes. Some weeks after arriving at his majority he received the small
fortune held for him by relatives in Leeds, and having meantime fitted
himself for going abroad by the study of German, he began active
preparations for his journey. To one who has known Mr. Glover inti-
mately in later life his diary kept at this period is most interesting, as
showing, even at the age of twenty-one, so many of those traits of char-
acter or individualisms, if the term may be used, which so strongly
marked the mature man. Indifference to country or home, distrust of
mankind and of the motives of people about him, self-reliance and a
wish to be his own master, and at the same time frequent evidences
of the good influences by which he had been surrounded in the family
circle in which he was reared, appear on many pages. Some are so
striking I can not forbear making a few brief extracts.
During a short visit to Burneston, in April, 1834, he wrote :
Sauntered about all day, reading Tam O’Shanter; begin to think a country life
would be very tiresome. Could manage to spend some months very pleasantly in the
9
country, provided I had books, paint box, horse, gun, flute, etc., not forgetting a
pleasant friend, without which a man might be tempted to shoot or drown himself
for very ennui.
The entry tor the next day is confined to three short lines:
‘What with teasing the servant about her lover, plaguing the cat, and gossiping
with the villagers, managed with difficulty to live the day out.
Evidence of a restless nature, abhorring idleness.
Having decided to indulge his taste for artist life and at the same
time see something of the world, on the 19th of April, 1834, he quitted
Leeds and started for Munich, with a view of putting himself upon a
systematic course of study in different branches of painting. Regard-
ing his leave-taking he says:
Miss G. [his aunt] cried most prodigiously, as if I should never return homne—home
did I say? I forgot that I have no home and that for the future I must consider the
world as my home, or, rather, make a home wherever Iam. _ I leave some few people
in Leeds whom I shall regret to lose, but on the whole I like my prospects very much.
He spent nearly a month en route to Munich, stopping at Hamburg,
Hanover, Gotha, and many other places, and arriving on the 14th of
May. Here he began study at once, though at first he confined himself
to the study of the German language under one Dr. Caflish, and it was
not until a month later that he had made arrangements with the artist
Mattenheimer, “the inspector ot the gallery,” to give him lessons in
ruit and flower painting in oil.
Under date of June 19, 1834, he writes:
Took my first lesson in flower drawing and like it very much; he (Mattenheimer)
says he sees that I have talent, from my drawings, and that in a little time I shall
paint very well—flattery to make me learn—buit don’t care; if it pleases me I intend
to continue it till I paint tolerably.
A week later, this:
For the first time handled palette and brushes and daubed a little in oil painting.
Mightily pleased to have advanced so far; don’tintend to say anything about it to my
friends in Leeds, or they will expect miracles of me.
A few days after this his master has been trying to persuade him to
be an artist. ‘ Will not, though, whatever he says,” closes the entry.
Regarding his art work at this time it has been said of him that still-
life and natural history subjects were his special delight, whether he
painted in water colors or oils; and so successful was he in what he under-
took in this way that with some who were well acquainted with his
work, it was a source of regret that he did not make painting the seri-
ous study of his life. Notwithstanding this statement, it is not likely
that Mr. Glover would ever have madea great artist in the sense of pro-
ducing strong, original pictures. From a study of examples of bis best
efforts produced both in Europe and in America (oils and water colors),
it is very evident that he was strongest in the direction of illustrative
work, or close studies, where great detail and accuracy of delineation
were absolutely essential. He was at his best in still-life, therefore, and
especially in the painting of fruits, flowers, and the lesser animal life.
10
A number of his works in oil, which he brought to Washington, were
only copies from the productions of his masters or other p.inters, and
should not be taken as standards of his ability.
His water color paintings of flowers and insects and a few natural
history objects, are most exquisite examples of artistic illustration, and
are drawn to the life, showing the expenditure ofa vast amount of labor
and patience, and giving assurance in the artist of a fair eye for color.
As arule they are painted with little attention to modeling, the color
being laid on heavily, stippled and frequently lacking in transpareucy,
and without attempt at composition in the sense of making pictures of
them. But they are very realistic and sometimes quite decorative.
Many of his early drawings of the Florida insects are as exquisitely fin-
ished, though with his later originals he took less pains. When Mar-
garet Fuller first saw some of the flower paintings she would hardly be-
lieve that they had not been done under the microscope, so delicate was
the work. Whether or not his extreme shortsightedness made it diffi-
cult for him to paint in any other manner, it is impossible to say, how-
ever well adapted to the labors of bis after life this special kind of work
may have been. He could not have painted broadly had he desired to
do so, for his almost microscopic vision saw everything in the minutest
detail. This explains, too, why his after engravings of insects, par.
ticularly of larvae, lack in action.
After finishing his journeyings in Europe and having turned his back
upon Munich, the study of art was still an absorbing interest with him.
On his return to England he took up his abode at Leeds for a short time,
and, in a room set apart for the purpose of a studio, and surrounded by
pets of every conceivable description, he continued to paint with assi-
duity. And it is pleasant to learn that his love of natural history shared
equally with his love ofart. Many delightful reminiscences of the young
painter-naturalist (who was now about twenty-three years old), are re-
called by those who knew him at this time, all indicating the manner of
life which he afterwards followed. Mr. Oates thus writes of him in a
memorial sent to Professor Riley :
He would sit before his easel with a favorite lizard nestled in his breast, his coat
pockets tenanted by snakes, and a blackbird perched upon his shoulder, whilst hang-
ing on the walls of his apartment might be seen some tiny gauze cages, daintily con-
structed for the reception of tame spiders, which were periodically supplied with flies.
There were also in the room a variety of other birds and such quadrupeds as mice,
rats, and guineapigs, all pets in a greater or less degree. Glover’s early school friend,
previously referred to, still living at Whitby in Yorkshire, particularly recollects vis-
iting him in this apartment on one occasion when he was painting a bunch of grapes,
his blackbird as usual upon his shoulder. Glover had just completed the painting of
the grapes, when the fancy seized him to add a fly, as though it had alighted on the
fruit. This he did, and had scarcely withdrawn his hand from the work, when the
blackbird darted from its master’s shoulder and pecked lustily at the phantom fly.
About this time Glover had begun to give some attention to copper-plate engraving,
and also carved in wood. He sustained a great sorrow in the death of a littie girl, the
child of a first cousin, who was devotedly attached to him and for whose amusement he
11
never wearied of exerting himself, for his affections once roused were acutely sensi-
tive and tender. Glover was possessed of great physical activity, and though not
skilled in horsemanship was fond of riding. On one occasion, it is stated, that whilst
riding on a friend’s horse, which proved restive, he was thrown violently to the pave-
ment, and his head striking the curbstone, he sustained a fracture of the skull. For
some time his life remained in jeopardy, and though to all appearance he ultimately
recovered from the effects of the accident, it has been suggested that the injury then
received told on him in later years and led to the somewhat premature failure of his
powers.
Professor Glover has more than once stated to the writer that the
scar upon the side of his head was made by the bursting of a gun bar-
rel and Mrs. Glover verifies the statement. It occurred, too, before he
went to Munich, for there is a reference to his fractured skull in his
journal. However the injury was inflicted, I can not think the sug-
gestion made above has any weight, as Mr. Glover’s peculiar and ir-
regular mode of life in after afters, without recreation, and his pro-
longe d ill-health for several years in a trying southern climate, were
sufficient causes for his breaking down before reaching three score and
ten.
Whether or no Mr. Glover returned to Munich again can not be stated
from any written records. During a few weeks of his first summer in
Germany (1834), he made an extended pedestrian tour through the
Tyrol with his German teacher by way of vacation and to learn the
language. Some of his pencil sketches made in Tyrol are dated 1836,
but as he-sailed for America June 24 of that year, he could only
have made a flying visit to Germany, if at all. He decided to visit
the United States through the representations of some relatives, young
men who settled in America about this timé, though he did not at
first entertain the idea of making it a permanent abiding place. His
roving disposition prompting a period of adventure and sight-seeing
before settling anywhere, he at first spent his time in travel.
This was a turning pointinhis life. The fine, open scenery, the lakes
and vast rivers of the United States appeared to exercise a powerful
influence on his impressionable nature and led to his making it his home.
For several years after coming to the New World he roamed at leisure
through different parts of the country, and particularly in the South,
making New Rochelle his headquarters, for there are records of his
having remained in New Rochelle, near New York, at various times
during the years 1836 to 1839. He was in New Rochelle August, 1836,
and in that month started on a journey through New York State, thence
West and South, the close of the year finding him in Louisiana and
Texas. In 1837 he was again traveling about through the picturesque
portions of New York State, and early in 1838 was once more South,
visiting the Carolinas, Georgia, and adjacent States.
Mis. Glover tells me that he finally settled in New Rochelle in: the
spring of 1838, and here his dog and gun, or rod and boat, were almost
constant companions; his boat, which be built and was very much
12
attached to, demanding the greater part of his time. When it was
launched there were some lines written commencing :
To Townend we drink, that lad of much fun,
So deeply in love with his dog and his gun.
A volume might be filled with the stories Mr. Glover has told me of
his life at this period. He was ‘hail fellow, well met,” everywhere,
having all the friends he desired (sometimes too many, doubtless), and
devoting himself to pleasure.
It was during a brief visit to Fishkill that Mr. Glover first met Miss
Sarah T. Byrnes, an estimable young lady, and the daughter of Joseph
T. Byrnes, a gentleman of prominence, who owned a large estate lying
upon the banks of the Hudson. An attachment having sprung up be-
tween them, they were married in September, 1840, in New Rochelle,
and in the following spring went to live in Fishkill-on-the-Hudson (then
known as Fishkill Landing), Mrs. Glover’s native place.
During the five years which followed Mr. Glover chiefly interested
himself in floriculture, in natural history studies, and taxidermy, a large
case of the native birds of Dutchess County, N. Y., shot and prepared
by him, still remaining in excellent condition, evidence of his taste and
skill in this direction. He also employed a part of his time in art, as
Mrs. Glover particularly remembers two large oil paintings, one of fruit,
the other of flowers, which were produced at this time, and subse-
quently presented to relatives in England.
In the spring of 1846, in company with his wife, Mr. Glover visited
his relations in England, remaining until fall. Upon his return he went
to live upon his own place, which he had purchased from the Byrnes
estate, and a more romantic and beautiful spot he could hardly have
chosen. Lying upon the crest of a gentle slope, in sight of Storm King,
the surrounding country broken into majestic hills and deep vales, at
a point where the noble river makes a bend to the left and is joined by
the creek which swept at the foot of his garden, the view was one of
surpassing loveliness. I first saw it through the yellow haze of a bright
October day and while viewing scenes which had been sofamiliar to him—
the orchard that he had planted, the garden plot where he spent so
much of his time, and the rocky creek, upon the banks of which he had
had so many piscatorial triumphs, for he was an expert disciple of Wal-
ton—the wonder came how he could have left it all, and become satisfied
with the hum-drum life into which he drifted in later years. In this
beautiful place, on his return from England, he began in earnest the
life of a country gentleman, busying himself with the planting and care
of fruit and ornamental trees, and with his garden, which was noted for
its fine flowers and vegetables. He also paid considerable attention to
the cultivation of small fruits, all the leading varieties of which were
tested by him. ‘
Mr. Glover visited England again in the fall of 1849, and at this time
spent some days at Walton Hail, in Wakefield. Mr. Oates states that
while staying on one occasion with a cousin at Scarborough, with whom
13
he was on intimate terms, he chanced to meet Charles Waterton, who
was stoppiug at the same place, and the two cousins subsequently be.
came for a short time the guests of the veteran naturalist at Walton Hall.
Upon his visit in 1849, Waterton presented Glover with several of his
works, the ** Wanderings,” now in the possession of Mr. William H. Ed-
wards, containing the naturalist’s autograph.
During this period of Mr. Glover’s life, that is, the latter part of the
forties, he made the acquaintance of Mr. A. J. Downing, and through
the intimacy which followed he became deeply interested in pomology,
his enthusiasm prompting him to devote himself to it for a time. Then
came the desire to do something of practical and lasting value that might
be appreciated beyond the narrow limits of the little world in which he
moved. The scheme of illustrating American pomology by a series of
perfect fac-similes, with special regard to the changes produced by differ-
ences of soils and climates, was planned and entered upon. At first he
experimented to find the best composition of which to make his models,
and practiced with the laying on of color to get the most natural effects,
His first efforts are said to have been very crude, but he worked persist-
ently until success was attained, and then he began thecollection. Two
rooms were set apart for a workshop, materials purchased in quantity,
and the work was pushed as rapidly as possible during the fruit season,
and continued for several years.
The formation of this collection, without doubt, had more to do with
altering the course of his after life than has been supposed, for through
it the ten years of rural quiet at Fishkill were followed by a period of
roaming again. At various times between 1849 and 1852 his collection
of fruits were exhibited at State fairs and elsewhere, a number of cups
and medals having been given him as prizes. They were once or twice
exhibited in Albany, once in 1851 at the exhibition of the New York
State Agricultural Society, and subsequently at a meeting or exhibition
of the American Instite+s in New York, the collection at this time be-
ing quite large. Correspondence in my possession shows that in 1852
he arranged for an exhibition in Horticultural Hall, Boston, though I
do not know that the fruits were ever exhibited there, though they were
exhibited in several other places.
Mr. Glover had now made considerable reputation as a pomologist.
He was invited to act as ajudge at the New York State and other fairs,
and wrote for the American Agriculturist on pomological subjects. A
letter from the late Marshall P. Wilder, bearing date November 7, 1851,
makes mention of a ‘“‘ beautiful and correct cast of a Louise Bonne de
Jersey pear,” recently brought to his notice, the letter closing with an
offer to send him some specimens of new fruits.
The attention that these models had attracted and the commenda-
tions Mr. Glover had received for his collection led him, in the winter
of 1853-54, to take them to Washington for exhibition and possible
sale. This was about the time that the new Bureau of Agriculture was
established in the United States Patent Office, and Mr. Glover very
14
soon became connected with it. His commission bears date June 14,
1854, and his appointment was made “for collecting statistics and other
information on seeds, fruits, and insects in the United States.” A small
cabinet was at once begun in the single room then devoted to the Bureau
of Agriculture, the fruit models forming no small part of the exhibit.
The collection of fruit models now comprised some 2,000 specimens;
the matrices being also preserved and numbered, that duplicates might
be made if desired. “It has taken $3,000 in cash and six years of un-
remitting toil” to produce them, is Mr. Glover’s written testimony about
this time concerning the collection.
Mr. Glover’s name is not mentioned in any of the official reports of
the Commissioner of Patents. By inference, however, we know that he
held the dual position of entomologist and special agent, his duties
necessitating travel upon various missions bearing upon the agricult-
ural interests of the country, through the Southern States mainly, and
at one time into South America. Charles Mason was Commissioner of
Patents at this time, the chief clerk in charge of the Bureau being D.
J. Browne, of New Hampshire.
In 1854 Mr. Glover studied in the field the insects affecting various
crops, the summer months being spent in South Carolina investigating
the grape insects and the insects injurious to cotton. In 1855 he was
ordered to Florida, where he occupied himself during the entire season
of five or six months in studying the habits of various insects and in
investigations upon the insect enemies of cotton. In a private letter he
alludes to this summer having been spent most pleasantly ** with alli-
gators, mosquitoes, and red bugs.” It may be worthy of note that
nearly all the drawings which subsequently appeared in his twenty-two
plates of the cotton insects were made at this time in and about Tal.
lahassee, though his field of observation extended from Columbia, S. C.,
southward. It wasin this year, too, that he first met the one congenial
friend and companion of his Florida experiences, a worthy gentleman,
Mr. Henry Wells, the friendship lasting through life. Mr. Wells was
always dignified with the pseudonym ‘“ Alligator” to the last of their
acquaintance, Mr. Glover’s correspondent appellation being “ Old June
Bug.”
The experiences of this season also inspired the Florida litany, which
Mr. Glover was want to repeat upon occasions with great satisfaction.
He was frequently asked for copies of the lines, and he always returned
an emphatic ‘‘ no,” for he never would allow original verse of this de-
scription to get out of his possession, at least when he could help it.
Here is the litany as jotted down by me during a chance recital not
long after a refusal to make a copy of the lines:
From red-bugs and bed-bugs, from sand-flies and land-flies,
Mosquitoes, gallinippers, and fleas,
From hog-ticks and dog-ticks, from hen-lice and men-lice,
We pray thee, good Lord, give us ease:
And all the congregation shall scratch and say Amen.
ES
In the winter of 1856~57 he was ordered to British Guiana and Ven.
ezuela to take charge of an expedition having for its object the restock-
ing of the Louisiana sugar plantations, the native cane having deterio-
rated to a degree affecting the sugar interest. An appropriation of
$10,000 having been granted for the purpose, the bark Release, with
a competent crew, was placed at
the disposal of the Patent Office,
and Mr. Glover, as the Government
agent, placed in charge of the ex-
pedition. He was in every way
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successful, bringing a large cargo of cane to New Orleans, though he
was attacked with fever very soon after, the result of his exposure in a
malarious country, and for a time was very ill. A couple of caricatures
of himself made at the time are interesting. (See Figs. 1 and 2.)
16
About the middle of August, 1857, he wasordered to Mississippi,
where the remainder of the season was spent in visiting cotton planta-
tions in different portions of the State. It was a hard season for him, as
he was sick during the greater portion of the time, often being con-
fined to his bed. An entry in his journal October 6 is characteris-
tic. ‘Quarrel between doctors, so I have to dismiss one, and the other
says it is no use to attend. Saved my life by it.”
It is worthy of mention that at this time his observations were not
confined to entomology alone, but to all branches of natural history.
Indeed, he let nothing new escape him in any field of experience, his
‘“mems.” indicating observations upon insects other than affecting cot-
ton, cotton diseases, soils and earths, vegetation, STS animals, reptiles,
fattian mounds, and even human nature.
The year 1858 marks the period of his investigations upon orange
insects, he having been ordered to Florida in the latter part of April,
where he remained throughout the season. It was an eventful year,
inasmuch as it was marked by events which later on led to his severing
his connection with the Patent Office, and beginning his work on ento-
mology.
He now had made the acquaintance of Baron Osten Sacken, Dr.
Morris, Mr. Ubler, and other of the earlier American entomological
authorities, and had become a member of the Washington Naturalists’
Club. In the records of his life at this period are frequent occurrences
of the names of Professors Henry, Baird, Girard, Drs. Hayden, Kenni-
cott, Clemens, Forman, Meek, Messrs. Ulke, Cooper, and others, with
allusions to prominent Senators and Congressmen of the day. It was
almost at the beginning of this year, too, that the first evidences of
friction between himself and his immediate superior officer became
apparent. He was working at this time upon the plates of his Cotton
-Insects and Diseases, besides engraving special plates for publication
in the annual volume, under the direction of his superior, D. J. Browne.
In January we find such brief entries as the following: “ Blow up
with B. about article on plows.”—“At work etching tea-plant.”—
“ Writing reply to weevil article.”—“ Row about sorghum.”
In February: “Heard at Browne’s about Kennicott wanting Fitch
here.”—“ Bothering about bees for Browne. Made sketch; not right.”—
‘‘ Etching and fussing about the bee plate for B., as he don’t know what
he wants.”—* Evening at B.’s; he will write all my reports himself, and
makes an ass of himself and a tool of me. Don’t and won’t acknowl-
edge it, as I have never written a word of what he says, and he has not
looked at my report yet.”
In Mareh: “ Evening at Girard’s, who advises me to stay, although
D. J. B. will make a false report of me.”—‘‘Another row with D. J. B.
He must be crazy.”
In April: ‘Browne at my room, evening, grumbling about Dr. Hig-
gins trying to supersede him; he has got an idea (Heaven knows why)
17
that Iam as great a naturalist as Audubon! That Audubon had Baech-
man to write his articles, and [ have (Lord save the mark !)” Browne!—
‘Still waiting orders. Smithsonian—no cans, no bottles, no tins, no
nothin’ ”.—“ Spoke to Shugart, who will see Commissioner about my
report.”—* Off to Florida,” ete.
Through May and June he was hard at work in the field observing,
sketching, and experimenting with solutions for the destruction of the
orange insects. An extract from an official letter to him, signed by his
superior officer and bearing date June 23, is interesting at this point.
After referring to what has been done and the difficulties in the way it
says: ‘ But a more effectual remedy would seem to consist in covering
the entire tree with some glutinous fluid, which would close up the aper-
tures of the shells and prevent escape of the perfect insects. Blood has
been suggested as being both feasible and economical, preserved by salt-
ing, and made sufficiently dilute with water to be readily applied with a
syringe. Near the regions where the orange tree flourishes in Florida
the alligator is found in great numbers. It is well known that this rep-
tile abounds in blood, which could readily be taken in the winter, when
it is in an inactive state. This blood could be preserved in casks, ete.
July 3, this entry: “ Killed alligator. After stabbing him in the
neck and dividing vertebre he still lived several hours. Not one pint
of blood in its whole carcass, and nearly 5 feet long—one quart to 10
feet ; 100 alligators to 25 gallons. Absurd!” As no after mention is
made of this proposed remedy, and there is no reference to it in Mr.
Glover’s published report, it doubtless did not amount to anything.
A year after, however, when Mr. Glover had left the office, a series
of articles against D. J. B. appeared in a Washington paper, signed
with a nom de plume, and among other things this matter was touched
upon. While Mr. Glover would never admit that he had written the
articles, he never denied their authorship. They bear his unmistakable
ear-marks, however, and were preserved by him with other personal
writings. Asan exampleof rich satire this one extract on the alligator
question is presented :
I have been credibly informed by a gentleman who has had some practical experi-
ence in combatting his (the alligator’s) obstinate disposition to shuffle off this mortal
coil, that. being an animal of warm and generous blood and of a highly excitable
temperament, he will yield the almost fabulous amount of one pint of the much-desired
crimson fluid. One of 10 feet then will give 2 pints, and 100 of that length somewhero
in the neighborhood of 20 gallons. Two hundred negroes might possibly capture 100
alligators in a day, one being necessary to hold the head and another the tail, whilst
the surgical operator undertakes the pleasing task of relieving him of his claret.
Supposing, then, each negro to measure only 5 feet in height, the account would stand
as follows: 1,000 feet of negroes to capture and demolish 1,009 feet of alligators, the
produce of which would be20 gallons of the coccus exterminating blood. Estimating,
then, the hire of each darkey at $1 a day, making $200 for 20 gallons of sanguinary
fluid, which might effectually syringe twenty oramge trees in a grove, and, without
mentioning the fees of the saurian phlebotomist, you have one of the most astounding
14162—Bull 18 2
18
examples of economy in labor that has ever yet soothed and flattered the otium cum
dignitate of a labor-shirking and a labor-saving world. Wonderful D. J. B.! Contid-
ing ex-Commissioner! Happy and grateful Floridians !”
A caricature on this theme, drawn by Mr. Glover in 1859, with him-
self portrayed as the “saurian phle-
botomist,” is presented herewith
(Fig. 3).
During the remainder of the year
1858, while in Florida, he was in-
dustriously employed with field
observations, visiting plantations
and groves in different parts of the
State, syringing whole groves of
orange trees, engraving his plates
and writing his notes, besides other
work for the Department, such as
collecting live oak acorns, ete. He
U orders the WS pains te Se eck ice was sick much of the time, and com-
abl gators /Secenti : : ie
te trees i seca nero ‘ehereey Ve aL oremae plains sorely of mosquitoes and simi-
Tes ee coh lumely beeaus seo orders comnot:
lar insect pests. A characteristic
entry in his journal is as follows:
“ Btching, itching, and scratching as usual from 8 to4; scratching with
pen from 8 till 12, and with finger nails continually.”
He severed his connection with the office very early in 1859. His
final report is published in the volume for 1858, and in the Commission- _
er’s report in the same volume the statement is made that ‘‘ the Ento-
mologist has brought his labors to aclose.” The principal reason for
his leaving the service was his inability to get along with the chief
clerk, whom he always considered of small ability, and a man who shone
only by borrowed light.
The appreciation of his efforts by others always gave Mr. Glover great
satisfaction. A little glimpse of this side of his nature, in statements
made confidentially to his cousin (Mr. Clapham), I trust will not be con-
sidered out of place here:
I am disgusted with United States service, as I have been situated, subject to the
whims and orders of a maceuvering and ignorant charlatan; no doubt I could re-en-
ter in winter if I wished, as all the members and Senators are friendly to my views,
but I will not unless I have more scope and privileges, and can do my work in my own
way. As soon asthe former Commissioner, the Hon. Judge Mason, heard of my being
out of the service he at once told me if I would accept a situation next fall in Iowa,
he would have me appointed to make an (agricultural) entomological survey of the
State; and my friend, Doctor Rock, writes to me that he is now endeavoring to have a
bill passed for that purpose. This was a great compliment, as Judge Mason is uni-
versally admitted to be one of the ablest and most intelligent officers who has ever
been in Government service and, as my chief, always treated me as well as possible.
At the same time he told me that ‘‘ he always considered me as one of the chief stays
of the Agricultural Bureau, if not the chief stay itself,” and paid me the compliment
that the service had lost one of its best men when I left. Such things written to you
Fig. 3.
19
may, and no doubt will, sound egotistical, but to me they are very gratifying, as
showing the feelings of my late chief.
It was at this time that he wrote:
Heaven only knows where my fate may lead me, for at present I am like a feather
wafted by the wind. If a good offer were made me, would start to-morrow for
either Van Dieman’s land or Kamschatka.
But his fate led him to remain in Washington City for a time, where
he occupied himself in making new acquaintances and gathering mate-
rials for the commencement of his work on American Entomology—
meanwhile using his influence toward the removal of the chief clerk,
D. J. Browne.
It has been said of Mr. Glover:
In his dealings with meu he was just even to a degree that was generous; but his
prejudices were strong and almost unyielding. He never forgot a kindness, nor was
he in tae least delinquent in his recognition of a favor.
It may be added that he never forgot an injury and rarely forgave it ;
and concerning his old chief, he always spoke in terms of most sub-
lime contempt. He attacked his plagiaristic failings by means of the
“deadly parallel” column, in the public press of the day, and wrote
pages besides. His life of D. J. B. (not published), in the form of a
dozen pen and ink caricatures, is as taking as a Thackeray sketch, the
drawing being superlatively grotesque, while the explanations abound
in telling hits. This set of drawings would bear reproduction were
they not so personal. (The alligator’s blood caricature is from this
series. )
<> 2
The eee a els
a hedl a dream which was now aha plenary : (Byron)
Fic. 4. An early caricature.
20
While upon this theme it may be mentioned that several of Mr.
Glover’s caricatures, nade at an earlier period, were reproduced in
copper by himself for the amusement of his friends. Many others, not
so reproduced, and done in ink or pencil, show him to have been a
caricaturist of no mean pretensions. The drawing is frequently gro-
tesque and the action superb, while the satire is most pointed. The
caricature habit followed him through life, many examples having beeu
made while he was entomologist of the Department of Agriculture.
These were more hastily drawn, however, and were destroyed as soon
as shown to a select circle of friends. But he was even more severe in
shafts of doggerel verse, which were often written upon the spur of the
moment, wholly impromptu, and by means of which he was able to hold
up to ridicule those (sometimes in high official position) who had of-
fended him. But he never allowed a duplicate copy to be made, and it
is doubtful if there is one in existence.
For several months Mr. Glover continued to reside in Washington,
and in the fall of the same year (1859) he entered the Maryland Agri-
cultural College as professor of natural sciences, though at a merely
nominal salary. Here he spent all of his time, when not engaged in field
work or in teaching and lecturing, in prosecuting the work on his re-
cently begun Illustrations of American Entomology, and in making a
collection of birds and insects. His life at the college was uneventful,
save that it gave him time to accomplish a vast amount of labor in two
important directions, and in April, 1863, about nine years after his first
connection with the Agricultural Bureau of the Patent Office, he was
appointed United States Entomologist, under Hon. Isaac Newton, the
new Department of Agriculture having been established in 1862, and
he entered upon the duties of the office at one.
His first reports, issued in 1863 and 1864, being for the most part
popular papers upon the more common insects injurious to vegetation
in the several orders, together with brief remedies for their destruction,
tell us little of his employment at this period. But we know that he
made a second beginning of his museum in August, 1864, the reports
of the time giving intimations of the new interest which was now ab-
sorbing his thoughts. Though the report for 1865 closes with another
popular paper (relating to the uses of insects from an economic stand-
point), the consideration of seeds, grains, fibers, silkworms, birds, poul-
try, and domestic animals, including Angora goats, explains the manner
in which a large share of his time was now occupied. He received con-
siderable assistance at this time from his confidential clerk, Mrs. L.
B. Adams, a lady of fine intellectual attainments, who had had some
experience in literary and editorial work, and who took a great inter-
estin the new museum. The first part of this report for 1865 gives evi-
dence of her assistance ; in fact the preparation of these documents was
the most difficult and irksome of Mr. Glover’s duties as entomologist:
He always shirked the responsibility as long as possible, and when it
21
could be put off no longer the work was begun and put through with
dispatch to the exclusion of everything else. He was not a ready
writer, and in much of his correspondence even, he first made a rough
draught of what he wished to say, from which the clean mailing copy was
afterwards prepared. Copies of official letters only were preserved, the
rule of the office requiring it, as during the entire period of Mr. Glover’s
term as entomologist the Commissioner of Agriculture signed all pub-
lic communications.
As to the manner of preparing his reports, they were usually written
in pencil, with scarcely any attempt at punctuation, little attention be-
ing paid to paragraphs or even to periods and capitals; the work of
putting into shape for pubiication, the most disagreeable of all employ-
ments for Mr. Glover, was then given to others—his earlier reports to
his confidential clerk and the later ones to the writer. He always
knew what he wanted to say, however, as far as subject-matter was
concerned, leaving expression to take care of itself. He wrote in con-
densed style, at times rushing over the paper rapidly, rarely referring to
authorities save where he wished to quote literally, with credit, pro-
ducing his manuscript “out of his head” mainly, from a rough outline
previously prepared, giving the subjects to be treated. The drawings
for illustration were prepared in two ways, either drawn carefully from
the insect and finished in ink, or they were cut from proofs of his cop-
per plates, and touched up or not as might be required, before sending
to the wood engraver or lithographer. The illustrations for his last re-
port on the Hymenoptera were all reproduced from figures cut from his
plates in this manner and arranged under his direction by others.
The months of August and September, 1865, were spent in Paris in
attendance upon the entomological convention held that year, and at
which he received the grand gold medal of the Emperor. This was given
for his work on entomology, which was adjudged by the jury “ to be orig-
inal in its style and character and deserving to be copied by the ento-
mologists of France as a desideratum inthe application of the science to
agriculture.” The notes concerning the entomological exhibition as
well as those relating to the industrial or economic museums visited by
him during his stay abroad, appear in the volume for 1865 as a second
report. Unquestionably this visit to Europe gave a great impetus to
his museum work, and by familiarizing himself with the systems in
vogue in other museums of a similar character, he was enabled to pro-
duce a better scheme for his own.
The year 1867 was marked by the sale of his collection of fruit models
to the Government, which, with the collection of birds, included in the
sale, and the mass of material gotten together during the two years
that had passed since the museum was established, made quite an in-
teresting exhibit. The scheme was now fairly realized, and, with the
increased correspondence which it imposed upon the division, and the
preparation of additions to its collections—now quite numerous—the
entomologist’s time was occupied by divided interests. The year 1867
22
was a busy one. The work of the division had increased so rapidly
that more help was necessary, and an assistant was assigned to him.
At this time Mr. Glover was very busy with the preparation of his
books of manuscript notes, particularly in Coleoptera and Lepidoptera,
adding to the mass of material which had accumulated for so many
years compilations from other authorities, to the end of “completing
to date” the histories of the insects he had figured. He was in frequent
correspondence at this time with Dr. Walsh, Messrs. Uhler, Riley, San-
born, Grote, and Robinson, and other leading entomologists, receiving
from them new material for the Department collection, or to be figured
in his work, sending them in return new species for description from
the material which was beginning to be received from colleetors in the
South and West. ale
The museum was now attracting considerable attention, and the num-
ber of visitors was steadily increasing. To a man of Mr. Glover's
enthusiastic temperament, so ready a means of imparting information
and proving to the world the value of his ideas as now presented it-
self, was not to be lost. So it came about that by no means the least
interesting of the objects there to be seen by visitors was the ento-.
mologist himself. Notwithstanding that Mr. Glover’s life for many
years had been that of a recluse—for in his devotion to his entomolog-
ical work it amounted to the same thing—he was a social being, and
thoroughly enjoyed meeting and talking with people of intelligence and
appreciation, whether strangers or not. It was a portion of the duties
of his assistants, at this time, to interest the museum visitors as far as
possible, and to explain to them its objects and uses. Professor Glover
kindly took upon himself a just proportion of this rather tedious occu-
pation—members of Congress, Senators, and other high officials, includ-
ing strangers who were in any way prominent, being his especial prey.
The professor always maintained that duty alone called him from his
desk upon these occasions ; but sometimes there were ladies in the par-
ties, and the frequent peals of langliter from a merry group convinced
us, in our quiet corners, that the entomologist might have made himself
a very agreeable society man had he chosen to divorce himself from work
long enough to indulge in such frivolous existence. None could blame
him if indeed this devotion to duty at such times was mere pretense,
for it was almost his only contact with the world, and “all work and
no play” does not conduce to the proverbial “ Jack’s” intellectual de-
velopment.
In these years he was residing at the corner of Seventh and H streets,
occupying a single room which he was pleased to call his “den,” and
in which, from choice, he ate, slept, wrote, sketched, engraved, and saw
his few intimate friends. What with his engraving and writing tables,
his book cases (constructed from boxes), trunks, tool-chest, and insect
cases, in addition to the stove and regular bedroom furniture, there was
little space te spare. But it was all he desired at the time, though a
very great change came over him in his manner of living a few years
23
later, after having taken up his abode on Twelfth street, near F street.
Though a single room was sufficient at first, the need of a parlor ere
long began to be appreciated; and he subsequently added to his suite
a bedroom for the use of his chance visitors. The larger part of his
library was brought to these apartments, bric-a-brac and souvenirs of
travel were displayed, his pictures hung; and as he never did anything
by halves, these accumulated so rapidly by purchase that the vacant ~
wall space of the three rooms was in time literally covered. A deserip-
tion of these apartments will not be out of place.
The carpeted floors were covered with skins of animals, some of them
quite valuable, and not altogether devoid of beauty. In two of the
windows were plants, and a mass of vines clambered to the ceiling.
Near a side window was an aquarium filled with fish, turties, and
aquatic plants, an ingenious fountain, of his own make, playing upon
some rock-work in the center, while English ivy was trained upon a wire
trellis around the window. The books were disposed in narrow, high
cases (boxes set one upon another, with glass-door fronts), and upon
the dressing-case between the front windows rested a heavy silver tank- —
ard, a family heirloom. The center table was covered with valuable
books, ceramics, and bric-a brac, the mantel opposite supporting a bronze
clock, with carvings and quaint metal work disposed about the shelf.
Against the paneling of the black mantel were hung a collection of
pipes gathered in his travels, some of them made by Indians. Around
the room upon light cireular stands were displayed several glass cases
of richly plumaged humming birds and gaudy exotic butterflies and
beetles ; and over a central book-case was perched a solemn white owl
in spectacles, reading its own history from a work on ornithology.
This was hisparlor. In the room adjoining (his bedroom) the wall upon
one entire side was covered with fire-arms, bows and arrows, toma-
hawks, and other warlike objects, a human scalp of long black hair
forming the rosette to one of his fantastic trophies. Another part of
the wall was devoted to rods, nets, and implements of piscatorial sport.
At one window stood his large writing table, and at the other a similar
table covered with his engraving tools, etching materials, bottles, boxes,
etc. Around the wood-work of the mantel-piece in this room were
hung cooking apparatus, certainly showing hard usage, and at the third
window, looking to the south, there were several cages of singing birds.
Some easy chairs, the bed, a stove, and a small refrigerator completed
the furnishing of the second room, while the third of the suite was
simply a bedroom, tastefully furnished and adorned. It was a veritable
curiosity shop where a very pleasant evening could be spent. I must
not forget the decanter of sherry, the French kisses and confections or
fruit, served upon pink shell plates, which always formed a part of his
welcome to his visitors. When there were no visitors, however, the
rooms were dark, save as lighted by a student lamp with a heavy green
shade which always stood upon his writing table in the corner of the
bedroom, for he was never idle when alone.
24
In 1868 the Department removed to its new building, and the ento-
mologist was assigned to better quarters. The three or four years
which followed were marked by no striking events, though Mr. Glover
labored on in his chosen work more indefatigably than ever, extending
his name and fame through the growth of his museum and through his
writings and large correspondence, as well as by the knowledge of his
progress in his work on entomology. It was during this time that a
large adjoining room to his own was granted him for the use of his
division, and for the establishment of an entomological cabinet. This
was fitted up with low show-cases similar to those in the museum, one
or two of which were supplied with drawers for the insect collections.
Mr. Glover took very little interest in the entomological cabinet, how-
ever, either in the preparation of the specimens and their classification
and arrangement or as a matter of reference afterward. But he always
went carefully through all new collections as soon as received, in search
of fresh material for his work, laying aside such as interested him, after
which the remainder of the collection had no further attraction for him.
He was interested in having a collection, though he often declared that
a series of well-drawn colored figures were quite as useful.
Now comes the publishing period of his life, if it may be so termed,
the years from 1872 to 1878, during which time he issued four volumes
and distributed twelve sets of his entire work, all except the Lepidop-
tera being supplied with the names. In 1871 he took up the Orthoptera,
which had been neglected by him for many years, and added half a
dozen or more plates, the labors of Mr. Cyrus Thomas upon new west-
ern material (from the surveys and elsewhere) proving the incentive. His
Orthoptera was published in 1872, and was followed at intervals of two
years or less by the other works. This matter is fully discussed, how-
ever, in another chapter.
The incessant labor of this period, with little exercise and no recrea-
tion—noteven the Sabbath rest—told heavily upon Mr. Glover. He
took no leaves of absence, though repeatedly urged to do so, although
occasional visits to the country or to Baltimore, upon Sundays in sum-
mer, gave him a little change from the monotony of his every-day ex-
istence. At one time he had a strong desire to visit Floridaagain, and
later, after partially recovering from his first serious illness, he was
strongly advised to go, his old friend, Mr. Wells (‘ Alligator”) being
suggested as a companion on the trip. He continued at his work, how-
ever, though in the last year or two of his official life he was more care-
ful of his health, eating more rationally and regularly, and partaking
less of cold or such ready-cooked food as could be eaten at any time.
He now devoted the Sunday afternoons, when pleasant, to walking, in
company with the gentleman with whom he resided, and seemed less
averse to having his evenings broken in npon by visitors. He even
went out now and then evenings, when he could have the company of
a friend to and from his lodgings, as it was difficult for him to get about
easily after dark, and he disliked to be in the streets alone on account
25
of his defective vision. For this reason, during the last ten years of
his life he attended no meetings of scientific or other societies, not even
the meetings of the Masonic lodge of which he had been a member.
But the long years of constant application, together with possible im-
prudences in his manner of living and exposure to malarial climates at
earlier periods, broke him down at last. We missed him from his ac-
customed place one morning, and when an hour had passed and he did
not appear the circumstance was so unusual that a messenger was
dispatched to his rooms to learn the cause of his detention. The an-
swer was returned that Mr. Glover was very ill. How ill was not ap-
preciated by the writer until, standing by his bedside and listening to
his incoherent utterances, the unwelcome thought was forced upon the
mind that his labors were nearly finished. And so it proved, for al-
though he recovered in a measure from this sudden prostration and
lived for several years, he was never able to resume his work, save as
he interested himself in some such slight occupation, for sake of reliev-
ing ennui, as copying lists of names to accompany his plates. Though
his successor, Charles V. Riley, was soon appointed, he was still con-
tinued on the rolls of the Department at a less salary, coming to the
office as he was able, although in reality he rendered no service. But
in time his health further failed him. His disease had made such in-
roads upon his once iron constitution that it was unsafe for him to re-
side in Washington away from his friends, and then he unwillingly
left Washington to take up his residence in Baltimore with his adopted
daughter, Mrs. D. C. Hopper.
Of the remaining years of his life there is little that can be written.
Feeling that his active labors were over, he disposed of his entomologi-
cal library, presented his birds, exotic insects, and other natural his-
tory specimens to the Druid Park Museum, and, as he had already
memorialized Congress for the sale of his plates, his MSS. having been
deposited with Professor Baird at the Smithsonion Institution, there
was little to occupy his thoughts but his own sufferings and the trifling
things of every day existence. Thus, almost blind and too feeble to go
far from home alone, he virtually retired from the world.
After so many years of busy life in the nation’s capital, the reaction
produced by the life of positive repose, both mental and physical, which
followed his coming to Baltimore must have been terrible. The full
force of the suggestion never came to me until the occasion of my first
visit to him amid his new surroundings. He evinced a boyish pleas-
ure at seeing me, and his eye brightened as kind messages were given
him from friends and associates in Washington, or when the old life
was touched upon; but withal an air of sadness made itself apparent
which told me that he was not altogether happy. Passing over other
visits I come to the last one, some months before he died, the recollec-
tion of which is as vivid as though it were but yesterday. Tor a time
he seemed like his old self, save that suffering and disease had laid a
heavy hand upon him; but after a while he began to talk of himself,
26
and with a voice husky with emotion, and with eyes suffused with tears,
he told me how unhappy he was and how he longed for the end to come.
Among other things he felt keenly the neglect of his old friends, some
of whom were residing then in Baltimore, and whom, he said, had never
called upon him or helped to relieve in any way the monotony of his
existence. My leave-taking from him on this occasion was most pain-
ful. I remained with him as long as I could do so, but when time
came to depart he clung to my hand like a child, walking with me out
upon the door-step, and stood looking after me as I walked away. I
never saw him again. His death came peacefully on the 7th of Sep-
tember, 1883, surrounded by his immediate family, his wife, and adopted
daughter, and he was laid at rest in the Loudon Park Cemetery, near
Baltimore. \
One who knew Mr. Glover intimately for twenty or more years of his
life has said of him, ‘In his personal habits and intercourse he was
peculiar.” He was peculiar even to the verge of eccentricity, yet in
summing up the many traits of his character, to his very peculiarities
is due mainly the measure of success in life to which he attained. He
was a man of few friends. In bis youth the friendship of one or two
enthusiastic boy lovers of nature, like himself, who could enter into his
pursuits and think as he thought, satisfied him. In middle life, after a
residence of five years in Washington, he says of himself, in touching
upon this theme, ‘Acquaintances I have made many, but friends none.”
That he made few friends I think was due to several causes—a slight
distrust of mankind in tbe first place, coupled with a feeling that too
close intimacy would bring a greater or less degree of annoyance. Then
he wasa man so thoroughly interested and absorbed in his own pursuits
that few who came in contact with him, particularly in later life, found
in him that responsiveness or congeniality that one expects to call out
in a thorough man of the world. But it may be said of him, once a
friend always a friend.
Not averse to society, he enjoyed himself in it, yet in general terms
he regarded time spent in complying with its demands asso many hours
wasted. I scarcely ever knew a man whose character was made up of
such opposing traits. He was most generous in many things which, in
the estimation of the world, go to make up generosity, yet in the matter
of personal concerns, as far as the world went, his self-interest was so
absorbing thatit left no heed for the interests of others. ‘Never trouble
Mr. Glover with your own affairs” was a gentle hint conveyed to me as
a piece of advice a few months after I became his assistant. Heeding
it, I won, in time, his friendship, and then another side of his nature
was revealed tome. An exacting task-master with himself at all times,
he demanded fuli and unhesitating compliance with his wishes, when
once made known, from those over whom he exercised authority ; and
yet where the disposition was shown to be diligent and faithful or ioyal
‘
2U
he allowed the largest liberty. Strong in his opinions, preferring that
his own suggestions should take precedence of the suggestions of oth-
ers whom he thought less thoroughly informed upona given subject, he
was never unreasonable save when the views of others ran counter to
his prejudices, and then he was as inflexible asiron. A little child could
lead him, but a regiment of soldiers could not drive him.
In disposition he was serious but rarely melancholy or cynical. On
the contrary, he had arare fund of humor and a keen sense of the ridicu-
lous, appreciating a joke whether at his own expense or the expense
of a friend, and never losing an opportunity for its enjoyment. His sa-
tire was pointed, his sarcasm cutting, the most common modes of ex-
pression being caricature and verse, in either of which he was very
ready. But he could also write very pleasant verse in a humorous vein
when wrought up to his subject, two examples of which, in my posses-
sion, ‘*The Velocipede” and “A Valentine” (and very personal to the
writer) are highly-prized mementoes. ‘He never forgot a kindness,”
and it was not easy for him to forgive an injury, nor did he ever regain
confidence in those who deceived him or endeavored to use him. Of a
jealous nature, he was sometimes suspicious, and like many others with
this disposition, he was quick-tempered, and his anger, when aroused,
for the time being was almost uncontrollable.
Susceptible to the world’s praise, he shrank from its censure, which
may be given as one reason for his never having described an insect.
Mr. Glover could never have been a specialist. While recognizing the
importance of, and necessity for, technical work to the end of settling
the vexed questions of classification and synonomy, he had no patience
with those whom he designated as *‘ species grinders,” and in his private
discourse was often quite denunciatory in his criticisms of their work.
He often made the boast that he had never named an insect, and as often
declared it to be his opinion that many of the existing species in our
lists were but varieties. In his entomological work generally he was
exceedingly cautious in making statements and averse to “rushing
into print;” he often underrated his own judgment in an endeavor to
be on the side of fact, and he was always just in giving credit to others.
In his habits of living he chose to be untrammelled by the conven-
tionalities of custom, attending to necessities of existence in a way that
offered the least personal inconvenience to himself. So the man who
from having moved in the cultivated society of his home on the Hud-
son, had in the performance of duty come to “herd with negroes and
Indians in Demerara, where a white man is as good as a darkey,” or
summered in the Florida swamps ‘“ with pet alligators and rattlesnakes,”
found it no hardship to prepare a simple breakfast while the wax was
hardening upon his copper plate, or to eat it, while perchance the acid
was eating into the shining metal. His walk at sundown and his restau-
rant dinner later, his chief mental and physical recreation, gave him
zest for his evening’s work.
28
He was methodical without being systematic. His very life in later
years was a life of routine only broken here and there by Sabbath
visits to “* Woodside,” the childhood home of his adopted daughter. Nor
was he idle during these visits, for upon his return Monday morning he
always brought back a considerable amount of fresh entomological ma-
terial, the result of his field rambles and excursions, frequently an-
nouncing a new fact or discovery, or displaying some unknown larve
to rear, and always exhibiting something interesting.
His enthusiasm was the maipspring of his endeavor, his untiring in-
dustry, coupled with method, the means of accomplishing the under-
takings which it prompted. He cared little for the good opinion of the
world as far as relativg to himself personally, but he not only found
pleasure in, but invited appreciation of, his utilitarian schemes. It was
a great satisfaction to him to feel that he possessed the friendship and
esteem of the leading scientific men of his age, but he never courted
their favor, and his modesty led him to shrink from posing as a con-
spicuous figure among them.
Had he lived to complete his work in his own way and found means
to publish it in its entirety the world would have had a better appre-
ciation of the immensity and scope of the undertaking than any sim-
ple statements of friend or biographer will ever convey.
I will close this brief sketch with a tribute to Mr. Glover from the
pen of an intimate friend, written in 1874, which appeared in Field and
Forest four years after. The last two stanzas proved prophetic.
THE PROFESSOR.
[Inscribed to Professor G———.]
Little cares he for the world, but sits
Till evening, from earliest dawn,
And figures and etches and writes,
And the work goes bravely on.
And a monument grows, day by day,
That shall tell to the world his fame
When marble has crumbled away—
And he silentiy carves his name.
Carves it in Nature’s soft lines,
With a graver skilled and true ;
And the acid eats till the eye defines
The ontline of promise in view.
And the days and years go fleeting by,
Tasks are finished and new ones set ;
Still the end is not, nor draweth nigh—
There are pages unwritten yet.
Pages unwritten that ever will be,
For the longest life isa span—
That his dream may approach reality,
He is working while he can.
HISTORY OF HIS WORK ON ENTOMOLOGY.
Mr. Glover commenced his immense work on insects, known as “ I]lus-
trations of North American Entomology,” in 1859. Portions of the
work, that is, special plates of the orange and cotton insects, were en-
graved a year or two prior to that date; in fact, it may be said that he
made two or three beginnings prior to the commencement of his ulti-
mate scheme. <A very early idea was a set of pocket plates represent-
ing the common injurious species. Quite a number of these were en-
graved by him, the plates, or a part of them at least, having been de-
posited in the National Museum with those of his later work. These
little plates measure about 24 inches by 4, the figures chiefly relating
to the commonest forms of beetles and the smaller moths, with a few of
their larve, and a few insects in other orders. The plant affected
usually appears in the center of the plate, greatly reduced of course,
the insects in some cases being placed upon it. The work is well done,
some of the figures being very soft. From a study of his early plates I
place them among the first that he did after coming to Washington and
while in the employ of the Patent Office, probably 1855. It is interest-
ing to note that on all of Mr. Glover’s early plates, made in any consecu-
tive number, whether upon stoneor copper, the ideaof showing plant and
insects together appears, and the same idea was carried into the first
plates of his final work, though soon abandoned.*
His second beginning was the outgrowth of the scheme for a grand
work upon economic entomology on octavo plates which should com-
prise the principal plants of American agriculture, with the insects
figured upon them. A motive for such work appears in the set of ex-
quisite water-color drawings of flowers and insects, painted by Mr. Glover
when a young man, and to which allusion has previously been made.
Here are shown the plant, flower, and leaf, and the various stages of
some species of the insect known to feed upon it. In a letter written
to Mr. Clapham in 1856, where he alludes to a scheme for an agricul-
tural museum, he says:
Another idea is to go on with my work on insects—to have large engravings of our
staple agricultural productions, such as cotton, corn, wheat, potatoes, and so forth.
On the wheat root place the cut-worm, chrysalis, and moth; on the ear place the
wheat midge, etc., in short, to place every insect that destroys wheat upon the part
injured, natural size and magnified, the plates to be issued by the Government, and
distributed to every leading society, to be placed in their agricultural rooms. By
* T have nearly the full series of his early plates, given me by their author from
time to time, the collection forming an interesting study.
29
30
looking at the place affected the farmer can see the insect in all its stages, and, at
the same time, by referring to the Patent Office Agricultural Reports, can find out
the remedies in general use.
That Mr. Glover contemplated such a work before he came to Wash-
ington is evident from a number of plates on stone still in existence,
made early in the decade from 1850 to 1860. He has more than once
alinuded to it in conversations with me, and but for the counter interest
in pomology, and in the preparation of his models of fruit, he would
have attempted it at that time. I take pleasure in reproducing here a
plate made by him in February, 1852, which contains some ten species
of insects, all of which are tolerably well drawn. (Fig.5.) His work at
Fig. 5.
that period had attracted the attention of Dr. Harris, and some ten
months after this plate was made he was in receipt of a letter from the
doctor acknowledging his superior skill in the delineation of insect
forms, and asking his co-operation in the preparation of a new work on
entomology. I give herewith the main portion of Dr. Harris’s letter,
only omitting a page or more of explanation of figures in the plates
Mr. Glover had sent him. It is as follows:
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., December 15, 1852.
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 7th instant with the specimens of yourengraving and
the drawing of the pear-tree insects, reached me this day, and I am very much grati-
fied by these tokens of your remembrance.
‘
ch aetea
Some time !ast summer another specimen of your skill was sent to me from the hor-
ticultural hall, in Boston, but at that time I was very much engaged in preparing
copy for the printer, and carrying through the press a new edition of my ‘‘ Treatise
on Insects Injurious to Vegetation.” My tables were covered with manuscript proof-
sheets, specimens, and various miscellaneous matters, among which your engrav-
ing was lain, and it has disappeared in one of the clearings up of my clutter. It
is not lost, only mislaid, and will come to light again without doubt when I can
muster resolution and find time to overhaul my papers. I name these facts to ac-
count for my apparent neglect to acknowledge your favor. My book at last is fin-
ished and bound; and now, if you will tell me how I can send a copy to you, it
will give me much pleasure to forward it to your address. My scientific friends tell
me that all the book wants is a set of figures to illustrate the descriptions. I am
fully sensible that its value would be much increased by such illustration, and that
it would then supply fully a want that has long been felt for a work combining sci-
entitic descriptions of our most common destructive insects with good colored figures
of the same. j;
Iam very much pleased with your success in engraving on stone. With practice
you will doubtless acquire the skill to represent insects in the very best style of this
kind of engraving. This kind of work is much to be preferred to engraving on cop-
per, because of its general cheapness; the stone admitting of being ground dewn and
used again; and a delicate and skillful engraver can represent insects about as well
on stone as on copper. I think you will find it quite as easy to execute engravings
on stone as on copper, and I hope you may be induced to perfect yourself in this art.
Your specimens certainly do you great credit, and I am very glad that you have so
promptly and successfully acted upon my suggestion. * * *
When you write me to inform me how to send you my book please to let me know
what you consider would be a fair price for the engraving of a plate with insects on
it of the size of your specimen plates. The cost of striking off, which must be done
by the press, would be another matter, and may be known by inquiry. It would de-
pend in some measure, also, on the number of impressions wanted. I very much wish
some arrangement could be made with you for preparing a series of plates to illustrate
my book. To do this, however, it would be necessary for you to takeup your residence
here. The plates might be issued in numbers, accompanied by brief descriptions
referring to pages of the treatise. I have also another plan in view, which has
long been a favorite one with me, namely: To prepare a series of small popular vol-
umes on our insects, with plates, somewhat like Jardine’s Naturalist’s Library, to be
entitled Insect Biography. The first volume to contain a brief, general introduction
somewhat like the introductory chapter of my treatise, with figures illustrating the
orders of insects. The second to treat of principal families, illustrating them with
the biography of one or two common insects of each family. The third to take up
some large group and describe and figure the most prominent species in it, and so on
with the other volumes as the public taste and demand for the work might guide or
enconrage it. A work of this kind would do more to promote a general taste for en-
tomology than anything else, and I think it would meet with very good encourage-
ment. Hitherto I have been deterred from undertaking it for the want of co-opera-
tion of a competent artist to execute the plates; our engravers having no skill in
such matters and no taste to make themselves acquainted with the details of insect
structure, and, moreover, being extravagantly high in their charges. Sonrel, a Swiss
engraver, is the only person who can do such work at ull well, and he being a for-
eigner and not speaking English well, it will be difficult to get along with him.
Please let me know your thoughts on these plans of mine.
Truly yours,
THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS.
Mr. T. GLOVER.
32
Mr. Glover did not take up with this offer, as he doubtless had other
plans in view for himself; but the letter is interesting, as furnishing
evidence that Mr. Glover not only worked upon copper at that early
date, but also upon stone. I have in my possession proofs of a number
of these plates engraved upon stone, the execution of which is far bet-
ter than the work on his copper plates of the same period. Of one of
these, illustrating parsnip insects, Dr. Harris says:
No. 1 is apparently one of the Ortalide ; its larva unknown to me before No. 2, I
have often seen the larva of this moth, but never succeeded in obtaining the perfect
moth.
So Mr. Glover was a good observer, as well as a tolerably skillful
engraver at this time.
Mr. Glover’s reply to Dr. Harris’s letter would be interesting could
it be produced. I have searched for it among the Harris correspond-
ence at the Natural History Society rooms in Boston, but without avail.
The letter was very flattering tu Glover, as he has himself told me; but
he was not then ready to enter into such an arrangement. What other
correspondence may have passed between them at that time can not be
stated, but a little over two years after Mr. Harris wrote another letter,
which not only gives some interesting facts in Harris’s life hitherto un-
published, but is certainly most complimentary to Glover. This is the
letter :
CAMBRIDGE, Mass., February 13, 1855.
Dear Str: On the 4th of September I received a letter from D. J. Browne, esq.,
then at New York, and on the point of sailing for Europe, informing me that you had
been engaged in making drawings of insects to illustrate the next agricultural re-
port of the Commissioner of Patents, and wished to pre-engage my co-operation with
you. He further informed me that you were then absent from Washington, some-
where in Georgia or South Carolina, and that on your return in November you would
visit me in Cambridge. He also stated that he would communicate with me again
on the subject on his return from Europe. Under these circumstances there seemed
nothing for me to do but to wait till I saw you or till I heard from him. Moreover,
my oldest son was dangerously sick and remained so till his decease on the 19th of
October, and in our trouble Mr. Browne’s communication was entirely forgotten till
it was brought to my mind by a letter received from Hon. C. Mason on the 29th of
November. To this letter I replied on the 8th of December, since which time nothing
has been heard of the subject therein proposed. Ihope that you have seen my answer
to Mr. Mason; if you have not, let me beg you to request him to show it to you. I
shall be happy to render you any service that is in my power consistent with my
other duties and engagements. These will fully occupy me from the lst of March
tillthe middle of July; so that you must not count on me for any assistance from me
during that time. At this present time, having a vacation in college, I am more at
leisure than usual. [regret not to have received the expected visit before the open-
ing of the college session.
Indeed, I have been long expecting a visit from you as promised some two years
ago, in which I hoped to have made some arrangements with you for illustrating my
work on insects. The time is some in which 1 have an expectation of being able to
defray the expense of illustrations to the work, and in which it will become neces-
sary for me to take some decided measure for having them done, if they are to be
done at all. The committee on agriculture of the legislature of Massachusetts are
now considering the expediency of printing another (the third) edition of my work»
33
with illustrations. Moreover, overtures have been lately made to me by a publishing
firm in New York to get out a duodecimo edition of the book, in which it would be
easy to introduce wood-cuts, if a competent artist to make the drawings could be ob-
tained. My first proposal having been made to you to furnish illustrations, and hav-
ing ever kept this in mind, I now return to the subject to inquire whether your en-
gagements will allow you to undertake the same, and on what terms, and what time
you will be ready to begin. It would best promote the object were you situated in
the immediate vicinity, for] should need to communicate almost daily with you
while engaged on the work.
You may remember my having stated my wishes regarding another work, or rather
a series of works, of a popular character, on our insects, in which I hope to have your
co-operation. The plan has long been matured; the execution with the means now
on hand would not be difficult, and the success seems to me to be almost certain.
With the pictures the books can hardly fail finding a good market. Without boast-
ing, I may be permitted to say that we could do in this department, together, what
no other persons in the United States can accomplish.
Have you seen Dr. Emmons’s big book on the Insects of New York, or Professor
Jaeger’s smaller one on the Life of North American Insects? These will be a warn-
_Ing against any one’s undertaking to deal with subjects with which they are not
familiar. Criticism will be thrown away upon them, and I forbear making further
remarks upon these remarkable productions.
Do me the favor to write to me at your earliest convenience and let me know what
is the extent of your previous engagements and what your plans are for the future.
Yours, truly,
THADDEUS WILLIAM HARRIS.
TOWNEND GLOVER, Esq.
i may mention here that, as far back as 1847, Mr. Glover spent some
time in Albany with Gavitt perfecting himself in work upon copper,
particularly in the handling of the roulette, by means of which the
dark effects in illustration are produced, as shading of wings, bodies, ete.
Among his early copper-plates is the one executed in February, 1852,
reproduced above (Fig. 4). Some of the figures on this plate show
clearly the methods used with stone engraving, namely, stipple shading,
as seen in figures 3, 4, and 10, especially. In 1 and 9, on the contrary,
the same effect is arrived at by means of lines, though apparently by a
hand not thoroughly skilled.
To return to Mr, Glover’s plan of a work on insects, as outlined on a
previous page, it is impossible to say how far he progressed with bis
scheme before finding it impracticable. The plates of the orange in-
sects finished in accordance with it (though only approximately) are to
be found, pretty nearly as originally engraved, in the Homoptera of the
final work by which he is now known. The 22 plates of Insects and
Diseases of the Cotton Plant are included in the 273 plates sold to the
Government, but were finished, or very nearly so, while he was yet in
the service of the Patent Office. Some extracts from his journal in
1858, when in Florida, throw very interesting light upon this point:
June 28: Began plate on Coccus. July 6: Began Plate 2, lemon (coccus). July 9:
Commenced plate of Papilio thoas, on orange. July 21: Began coccus, Plate 4;
orange; etching all day. July 24: Finished Plate 4; afternoon to Redwater Branch,
and brought home cargo of red-bugs. July 30: Finished Plate 5. (The next day he
14162—Bull 18—-3
34
commenced Plate 6, cotton terminal shoots.) August 6: Commenced Plate 7, young
boll. August 9: Commenced Plate 8, Orange Aphis, grasshopper, etc. (insects of
different orders on the same plate). August 16: Commenced Plate 9, orange-scale
parasites. August 20: Commenced Plate 10, Saturnia lo. August 26: Began Plate 11,
Trichius delta, and cotton flower. (The last mention of his plates is in the entry for
September 25.) Finished Plate 16, corn worm, and have no more plates todo. Have
written to Washington for them, but, like all I write for, nothing comes.
After that his only work on plates was retouching and burnishing.
That these plates were not all that he made for the cotton and orange
series is evident from various allusions to ‘‘ etching” in the journal
for the year 1857, while in Mississippi, one entry being ‘“ etching cotton
blight.” 4
The above extracts show the design originally of a work on cotton
and orange insects, in which the insects of different orders, on the same
plate, were grouped together indiscriminately. Other plates were pre-
pared in accordance with this purely economic scheme of arrangement,
and some of these, on which some one order of insects predominated,
were afterwards incorporated in the final work, the inappropriate figures
being burnished out and other insects substituted. Some of these plates
may be known in the ‘‘ illustrations” by having a flower or part of a
plant in the center, around which the figures are arranged. Other
plates, made in accordance with the purely economic scheme, were sup-
pressed altogether. *
I notice in the private journal for 1855, at which time Mr. Glover was
in Florida and the Carolinas, under date of June 19, this entry: ‘“¢ Draw-
ing and sketching—improved method of coloring—pressed insects.” A
note-book of this year’s work was filled with lepidoptera drawn (?) after
this method, the process for which, when Mr. Glover first showed me
the series, he described as follows: The wings were carefully detached
and laid in proper position, after which very thin paper, coated with
some adhesive substance, probably mucilage, was pressed upon them ;
after going over every portion carefully, with gentle pressure, to insure
complete contact, the wings were removed, the scales only remaining,
by which means avery perfect facsimile of the markings was obtained.
The fragment of paper was then carefully trimmed to exact form of
wing, glued upon the pages of the note-book, body, etc., sketched in, and
the figure was complete. I think Mr. Glover only employed the process
(in part) during one or two seasons, as he explained to me that its chief
use was to save time in making drawings, or the annoyance of carrying
around a collection of the preserved insects.
After leaving the United States Patent Office, in the winter or early
spring of 1859, Mr. Glover gave himself heart and soul to his final con-
ception of an illustrated work on entomology, for he had realized the
* The writer has a number of proofs of these, as well as impressions of two or three
plates as they appeared before alteration and the addition of new figures. (See plate
XXVII, Coleop.; Plates ill, IV, and V, Orthop.; Plate XXIV, Lepidop ; and Plates
IV, V, and VI, Homoptera, as illustrations of adapted Plates.
35
difficulties in the way of carrying out the former scheme and abandoned
it. In July, 1859, he writes to a friend as follows:
Since I left the office I have had several offers from various States to continue my
work; and probably in the autumn I may make some arrangement with them, but
at present am collecting material for a large work on entomology, more especially
connected with agriculture. Ihave already in four months etched and nearly finished
twelve copper plates, large octavo, comprising nearly 150 of our principal Coleoptera,
beginning with the Cicindelidw and Carabida, as beneficial to the agriculturist, inas-
much as both larva and imago destroy other insects injurious to the crops. I intend
at the same time, to make my work useful to the entomological student, as I shall
figure specimens of all the leading families unconnected with agriculture; and as
there is no such work in America, Iam encouraged by the scientific men here. The
work will not be finished for at least three years, but by that time I hope to have at
least 1,500 to 1,800 specimens etched and colored.*
Of the habits of his life at this time, not dissimilar to the habits of
his later years, the same letter gives a number of hints. He calls it a
‘hermit’s life: up at 6 or 7, breakast in his “den” (the writer of this can
readily picture both “ breakfast” and “‘ den”), after which he smoked
‘‘a hookah” (nearly ten years later he gave up smoking altogether) ;
the rest of the day, until 5 o’clock, being given up to the arrangement
of his specimens and to etching.
Then he took a restaurant dinner, “ Jewish passover fashion, with
cap or hat on,” after which he hunted for specimens, and returned home
about 8 o’clock in the evening. From that time until 10 o’clock he made
his notes of the day, searched for references, and then to bed. An ex-
acting task-master, he applied himself without cessation, inaugurating
that severe routine in his labors, with little or no recreation, which
marked the last ten years of his life. At this time he wrote: “My
maxim now is ‘nulla dies sine linea,’ and it is astonishing at the end of
three months to see what the motto will accomplish.” But the results
are due not to the motto, but to the persistent application, which in Mr.
Glover was second nature—more marked in his case than in that of
many men who perhaps have produced greater results, for he liter-
ally did not allow himself any recreation besides that which was de-
manded for the hours of sleeping and refreshment.
To his cousin, Abram Clapham, of Leeds, England, he writes at this
time as follows:
If yoa can procure me specimens of your common British insects, without trouble, I
would bé much obliged, as I want them for comparison, to find corresponding types
here, aud to see what differences there are between our Agrotide and the cut-
worms of England, as I believe that many will be found to be perfectly identical
Several insects have been imported we all know. Take, for example, the Gale-
ruca calmariensis, which is even at the present moment destroying all our European
* His work was commenced about March 1, 1859, From that time to the date of
his entering the Department of Agriculture, in 1863, was about four years. He held
the position of United States entomologist just fifteen years to a day, making nine-
teen years of labor upon his undertaking up to the time it was so suddenly discon-
tinued by the breaking down of his health. How many more years he would have
worked upon it, had health been spared, it is difficult to say.
36
elms in Washington. And please, if you send any, at the same time send the scien-
tific names, as I can then identify them by referring to English works. By the way,
what are your best agricultural entomological works, as I shall order them here? I
have Morton’s Encyclopedia of Agriculture, Westwood, and sundry other English
works; have ordered Ratzburg’s Forst Insecten, etc., so that I shall also be able to
compare with the German. Dr. Girard, who is at present in Germany, has promised
to send me all the German insects he can procure. If you know of any one who has
about £5 worth of common (no rare) insects to sell, please letme know. I want those
principally that injure crops, and of all orders. As soon as my plates are finished I
shallsend you a copy, as likewise of the cotton and orange insects I finished wis
in the service of the Patent Office.
Mr. Glover was now in his forty-seventh year. Of his work during
the last six months of 1859 there is little to record, save that he applied
himself most industriously to his undertaking. “After becoming con-
nected with the Maryland Agricultural College, about 1860,* he found
himself in better position to push his work. Living in the country, there
were more opportunities for observation and for the study of the habits
of insects. Then he was accompanied in his field rambles by his stu-
dents; and with their aid, and the material contributed from his breed-
ing cages, he soon accumulated a fair collection of the principal insect
forms of the locality. Always ready with his pencil and colors, he fig-
ured everything he saw that was thought to be new, even making draw-
ings of caterpillars and chrysalids of species that he was unable to rear
to the perfect state, and which in many instances he was not able to
identify until years after. Some have never been identified. This par-
tially accounts for the incongruous arrangement of the insects on the
later plates, as relating to classification, in comparison with the earlier
ones, where family grouping of well-known forms is the rule.
It is to be regretted that Mr. Glover did not regard his insect collee-
tion of more value, and had not shown more care in the preparation
and after-preservation of the specimens. After figuring an insect the
specimen had little further interest for him. Indeed he did not take the
trouble to set some of them at all, or only in such manner as would ad-
mit of their being correctly drawn. He used for the purpose entomolo-
gical pins, the ordinary pins of the dressing-case, or even needles; the
specimens were set at various heights, and were sometimes badly dam-
aged in the mounting. Many of the Lepidoptera, as well as other forms
with large wings, were most carelessly prepared, these appendages
drooping or sticking out in several directions. When I first saw his
cases, in 1866, the ravages of mold, verdigris, and anthrenus appeared
in almost every box; single wings, antenne, and legs were often want
ing, and now and then a body. Nor could it have been otherwise, for
the boxes, made to open like books, were mostly without cork, the tough
pine wood at the bottom making it difficult to secure a specimen, the
pins being frequently bent or broken at the points and sometimes turned
at arightangle. Had his collection been better preserved and his types
“I can not learn the exact date of Mr. Glover's connection with the Maryland
Agricultural College. It must have been the latter part of 1859.
ot
for illustration indicated, the necessity for subsequent identification of
many of his figures from the figures themselves would have been obvia-
ted. Some figures, particularly moths, have never been identified and
are not named upon the plates. It is, of course, recalled that he figured
many loaned specimens, particularly upon his later plates; these also
should have been indicated in every case, although any doubtful iden-
tification, as they were received from specialists, is hardly a probability.
Tam at a loss to account for his lack of system and want of care in
so important a matter, when he showed such nicety, and such delicacy
of manipulation in the preparation of his bird collections, unless it
came from his belief, frequently expressed, that figures were as good as
originals, and far more easily cared tor.
When it was proposed to establish an insect cabinet in connection
with the museum of the Department of Agriculture, examples of the
Jatest and most improved cases in use at Cambridge for this purpose
were obtained and brought to Mr. Glover’s notice. It was a peculiarity
of his nature that he took slowly to “new-fangled notions ;” and partly
considering the expense, he decided that shallow pine drawers with
loose glass covers were good enough. He was prejudiced against cork
bottoms, though the use of cork was strongly urged, and finally com-
promised on paper felt. As the sequel proved, the splitting and shrink-
ing of the eases and drawers in the dry steam heat of the Department
building altered his views materially, but only when it was too late to
remedy the matter.
In the letter previously quoted Mr. Glover states that his work will
be finished in three years. The time had expired a year previous to
his again entering the service of the Government, but I do not think
even at that time that the work was any nearer completion, as regards
his own ideas upon the subject than when he bad been working four
months. It is evident from the very manner in which he worked that
he had placed no definite limit to it. He conceived the scheme, and
seemingly without having measured the magnitude of the undertaking,
he went industriously to work to carry it out. As the end proved,
“completion” in this case meant when there were no more insects to
figure, for with no fixed limit it could have been carried on indefinitely.
Mr. Glover became Entomologist of the Department of Agriculture
April 1, 1863. It was then located in the basement of the Patent Office
building. In time two rooms were secured for the purpose of a mu-
seum, and in the corner of one of these the Entomologist finally estab.
lished his office. This was in the summer of 1864. A letter to Baron
Osten-Sacken, written in October, 1864, in reply to one from this spe-
cialist, shows that his work was now temporarily interrupted. He
says:
* Ihave been so much engaged for the last year in the Department of Agri-
culture, with office work and laying the foundation for an agricultural museum, that
38
Ihave not been able to etch at all, so that my work remains at a stand-still at present-
In a few weeks, when I am not so fully occupied as I am now, Lintend to reeommence
etching, when I shall be happy to attempt your plates,* althongh I am afraid that
you overestimate my abilities to do them, etc.
For the next two or three years his work was still more or less inter-
rupted by Department affairs. There was now a divided interest. The
new museum had been established, and to a certain extent it absorbed
his attention and his thoughts. Then in 1865 he spent several months in
Europe, as has been mentioned, the exhibition of insects in Paris eall-
ing him abroad. I have his Paris note book, filled with pencil outlines
of insects, and with written descriptions, which tells how well he spent
his time while there. And the fact that the design of his work se-
cured to him the grand gold medal of the Emperor above all other
competitors was proof that it was practical and valuable even at
that time, when it had not reached the half of its present scope or
dimensions.
The writer became Mr. Glover’s assistant in the Department of Ag-
riculture in 1867. By this time entomological science in America had
made such rapid strides and the study had become so widespread that
there were workers and observers in all parts of the country. Through
acquaintance and correspondence with many of these and through the
regular correspondence of the office he was now able to secure large
acquisitions of new material, so that the work, for a time partly neg-
lected, was now being pushed forward uninterruptedly, saving the in-
terruption of official hours, from 9 a.m. to3 p.m. As nearas I can re-
call, on hasty examination of the plates, the Lepidoptera had been com-
pleted, at this time, to plate 67 and supplement D, the supplement series
having been commenced in order to keep the diurnals and their larve
together upon consecutive plates as the work progressed, the numbered
plates being devoted to the moths. The Coleoptera had only reached
plate 28; the Orthoptera less than half its present number, 18; and the
remaining orders even a less number.
Meanwhile the text to accompany the plates was begun on somewhat
the same principle as the ready-reference books which Mr. Glover had
from time to time prepared for his private use. The earliest of these
reference books were compiled or prepared in the years of service in
the Patent Office (or perhaps even earlier), and at first, seemed to have
been used by him as ‘“‘ vest pocket editions” of notes on the habits of
common insects. They were tiny blanks books, measuring 24 by 4 inches
(of the size of a small pocket diary, and no thicker), into which had been
closely copied, in penmanship as clear as copper-plate and as fine as
print (250 to 300 words to the page), the chief facts connected with the
natural history of well-known and injurious species, the food plants,
habitat and other brief data, the whole conveniently arranged and in-
*These were drawings of the wing-veins of some thirty or forty species of Diptera,
and which he afterwards prepared.
39
dexed for use. A photo-engraving of one of these pages, exact size, is
here reproduced (Fig. 6): .
| dane th ears 96, |
14 J
‘oo ot ee tO se tech ag ipa
cae ae grew cS nee AA halye.¥r arly of
art inaienl fabian pale
1 o ee hioy often aun
ee ees Wtienne, of eS Bat
Herder Y penarallr eee vy fulwient beneatty ur
Mak Shuab tu Guus or maxiltee thet, 4mo xiblary
palpi’ Welt, aerrelo pe fus- 0 Peas Short. ye ~
j uf? 8 pectiens Vite Som
| ian ego Vr es irae er a gO
| bw aie: Die hee ot Pei Gp V poet
Mo zd. frre a4 ordre
vi wate otc Sirg atar may Cy a
ee (ausrepioey Duior tin any dear
“ie akan, PT Rie PURE Ta REC:
many. Dts clans Mm cores
rea “under a Ses onmn atin
otis fot te wow sche fulistamness come rode
op plant,’ of HRY ufrow Cranes Va Lew are
| Uh eldaabece ~ W4oqg- |
Qo Mormwe Pees Aran lescce ated = onTentoy wunyy
frrnurqumale, af Ure shen cee) treareales m QD -
Gobo toreana. 1 3h :
eencana
Pee moth Max moth emcee
Si Eat wax tx Vea nahttn Sry wbPew tbe
re o Grvete) outed) when olrer” wi frag merlin wat
st ace, faces ee Cems clie Prom Gk barf , eyruiy
ze Our of this Cade ur patgnge at night » devew
tba the hee ath fll Wels S04 WOK 4
Uijrrar lbprct eye bier oes D hnoda yt /
\ Bae Auf Hrnden a) ayellogei, re avatich
w [ke Days Laty broods hay G erreaiin in Cotoune,
iso
Fic. 6.
By the time the numbers of his plates had assumed some importance
a set of larger note books had been prepared, into which he recopied
the data above mentioned, together with notes of his own observations,
besides references to figure and plate of his own werk. These were
prepared for each of the principal orders; and for two or three, as the
Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera, an additional series in which the
food plants were alphabetically arranged, with a list of the species of
insects frequenting or destroying them following each plant named. In
time, as the number of plates increased, as his observations became
more extended, and entomological publications had become more numer-
ous; and as the old books were bursting their covers, a set of letter-
size blank books were obtained, and the entire mass of notes recopied
on afar more exhaustive plan, the whole finally constituting the material
of the text which would accompany the plates when published.
This was evolution pure and simple, for I have always considered
that the text of Professor Glover’s work was the direct outgrowth of
40
these little pocket reference books, a number of which he gave me, and
which are valued souvenirs.
When recently examining the manuscript left by Mr. Glover, now in
the National Museum, I found with his text of the Diptera the preced-
ing volume of notes also, from which it had been copied, illustrating
perfectly his method, as described above. In this volume, as with
others, when the blank pages had been covered, slips of paper of vari-
ous shapes and sizes were pasted in; the accumulation of these slips
and the inserted pages making it in time difficult to find any thing
readily, and then the new blank book was necessitated. With each re-
copying he made changes, revising, adding new facts, and giving fuller
accounts of particular insects, so that the new volume of notes in a
short time grew to twice the size of the one that preceded it. As an-
other example, the manuscript of his “list of animal and vegetable sub-
stances injured,” accompanying the Lepidoptera, in all something less
than 100 pages, he copied in seventeen days, in the winter of 1870, the
dates of commencement and completion being recorded on one of the
fly leaves of the volume.
The fact that the text of his work was brought together in this man-
ner wil! account in a measure for its apparent incongruity in the difter-
ent parts, considered in the light of an entomological work, which the
plates were supposed to illustrate. In reality the plates were the
‘ work,” and the text or subject-matter a secondary consideration.
That it has been gradually evolved from a very early beginning is
shown, too, by its many references to Westwood, to the old German
work by Leunis, and other of the earlier authorities whose publications
in modern times have been entirely superceded by the many recent
works that have kept pace with the progress of entomological science
in the United States. As these extracts and references referred chiefly
to géneral habits of groups and families and to classification, the neces-
sity for a later revision was not fully appreciated. Mr. Glover always
had a very high appreciation of Westwood,* regarding the work some-
thing in the light of an entomological bible, and to that extent always
a safe rule and guide for the seeker after truth. In minor portions,
therefore, his text was not fully adapted tothe American student; and
his material from Leunis less so. In his treatment of species, however,
he aimed to give in very condensed form the known facts, from whatever
reliable source they were obtainable. That the work remains in an un-
finished condition is due to the sudden failing of his health.
But the scheme of the work as contemplated by its originator was a
grand one. No more complete reference book of entomology was ever
conceived or more practically carried out as far as he had been able to
carry out the design. This, in substance, is the scheme of arrangement
as far as relating to species.
*Introduction to the Modern Classification of Insects, 2 vols., 1539.
4]
Under the name of the insect appeared first the Greek or Latin de-
rivation (both genera and species) ; then followed the reference to plates
and figures of the work, for sometimes the larve and imago were figured
upon different plates, and even the male and female appeared in differ-
ent places; then a list of the synonyms, followed by a short and con-
cise account of the life history of the species, from egg to imago; then
followed habitat, food plants, and, lastly, the best-known remedies, the
parasites, and references to other authorities. In another portion of the
work was given alphabetical lists of the food plants in the different
orders, with the insects figured upon them; and the whole work was to
be so simplified and made so available for consultation by an admirable
system of cross-references that the merest tyro could make use of it.
When a new fact was discovered it was at once jotted down in the
_ proper book of manuscript notes. When a new number of some ento-
mological publication was received it was carefully digested, and the
new facts transcribed into the appropriate place, with due credit, so
that the work grew by almost daily accretion to its pages, and, as far
as the later material is concerned, it was up to date. In these manu-
script notes Mr. Glover should have indicated, however, the records of
his own personal observations. How much injustice he may have done
himself by locking up in an unpublished work the results of these obser-
vations for many years will never be known. The folly of prema-
turely “rushing into print” is conceded; but it should be known that
Mr. Glover made many new and interesting discoveries that were wor-
thy to have been placed on record at the time of their discovery that he
received no credit for whatever.
Some of these he was urged in vain to publish by contributions to
the scientific periodicals of the day ; but always looking forward to that
indefinite point of time when his entire work would be completed (as
though it ever could be finished by such a man while there were insects
to figure or new facts to record), he declined publishing any portion
fugitively, save as it might be appropriately used in his special reports
as entomologist of the Department of Agriculture, and even then he
used as little as possible. He was extremely cautious in making state-
ments, disliked criticism, and oftentimes in giving the life-history of a
particular species, stated the facts on the authority of others, with
credit, in preference to his own, when both were equally full and au-
thentic.
If he did not give to the world the results of his observations during
these years, the entomological world was kept fully posted as to the
progress he was making with his plates. Dr. Walsh, Messrs. Grote,
Saunders, Strecker, Sanborn, and others loaned him box afcer box of
unfigured species, which, with other material, enabled him to complete
almost two plates amonth. Copies of these plates were printed as soon
as the engraving was finished and corrected, and after coloring half a
dozen or more copies of the plate with his own hand, they were mailed
42
to leading authorities whom he wished to compliment, or to those who
had loaned him insects. The borrowed material was not necessarily
retained until the plates had been finished, for his first work on receipt
of a species new to him was to make a careful drawing of it in detail,
after which it was colored to life; the name was then written upon the
drawing, together with brief notes (sometimes) for his guidance when
it came to be engraved. The plates were laid out most carefully and
the position of each insect indicated before a line was drawn. The fig-
ures were then caretully traced upon gelatine, the lines filled with dry
red lead, and the outline transferred to the copper. After this they were
etched and finished with the graver in the usual manner.
It has been a matter of surprise to me that Mr. Glover did not more
carefully preserve the original drawings from which the figures on his
plates were engraved. Many he did preserve, but by far the larger por-
tion of the earlier ones are not now in existence, as far as I have been
able to learn. Some of the more recent ones arenow in the possession of
the National Museum, though chiefly relating to two orders.* But he
always made a practice of coloring the first copy of a new plate very
carefully for his private set of plates, his working set, as he called it,t
and subsequent copies were colored from this.
In 1868, when the Department of Agriculture was removed to its
new building, the entomologist was able to have a room to himself, to
which he brought a large library, and where he deposited his plates for
safe keeping. An amusing peculiarity of the man at this time was
shown in the matter of book-shelves, which, for reasons of his own, he
fitted up at his own expense, from boxes, though there was no necessity
for his doing so.
He was now allowed a special museum assistant, a taxidermist, and a
messenger, in addition tothe regular entomological assistant, and the
demands of the museum upon his time were thereby lessened. This
left the hours of official duty more free for entomological investigation,
for the compilation of notes from current literature and from authori-
ties whick previously had been only partially reviewed; though it
should be stated that no inconsiderable portion of the day was devoted
to callers, and to those seeking information upon a wide range of sub-
jects connected with the museum display or otherwise. To all heshowed
the utmost courtesy, though the more prominent of his visitors were
invariably taken to his private office to see the work on insects. The
scheme was there unfolded in detail, and he ever delighted to talk to an
intelligent listener. He described the design in full, and at the same
time illustrated its utility by referring to some well-known injurious
species, invariably closing with the reading of a brief account of its his-
tory, with references to remedies and to the figures of the insect in dif-
ferent stages upon his plates, and with the stereotyped query: “‘ How
do you like the plan?”
* Many of the Florida drawings are in the Harvard College library.
t This is now in the National Museum.
43
There was a humorous side to this almost daily practice, which is
also illustrative of the man. Occasionally it happened that he told
the story a second time to the same individual, who was dropped po-
litely, but instanter, when he had learned of his mistake; and an inei-
dent like the following was not of infrequent occurrence :
Enter visitor, who grasps his hand warmly and familiarly, showing
the greatest interest in his entomological work, and perhaps introducing
a friend who is with him. The professor makes a great show of delight
at again meeting him, quietly gets him into the museum, and excusing
himself a moment, rushes into the room of his assistant with a half
whispered: ‘Charlie, who the d—1 is that?”
As every man is said to have some particular weakness or idiosyn-
crasy, Mr. Glover’s seemed to be an absorbing pride in his work on en-
. tomology and in his museum, which amounted to almost childish vanity.
A man who cared little for compliment in a general sense, his work was
his life, and he expected every one with whom he came in contact to
appreciate it almost. to the point of his own enthusiasm, which was
boundless. On the other hand, disparagement hurt him like the barb
of an arrow. Sensitive as a woman, he could not bear adverse criticism,
published or written. It seemed to him almost a personal thrust, and
where one showed the least approach to being hypercritical, it filled
him with most unkind feelings toward theauthor. Nevertheless, friendly
criticism given in the shape of kind advice or suggestion, if delicately
put, was always thankfully received, and particularly from those whose
opinion or judgment he respected. I can not but recall a certain cor-
respondence with Dr. Walsh, relating to some accidentally damaged in-
sects, which, if produced here, would prove spicy reading. There were
others, too, with whom Mr. Glover seemed always at swords-points
whenever he came in contact with them, and towards whom he was
wont to express himself in the most emphatic language, for he was a
royal hater.
As an illustration of how Mr. Gtover’s feelings could be outraged by
unjust censure and fault-finding criticism, reference may be made to a
little publication issued in 1872, purporting to be a history of the De-
partment of Agriculture, from the pen of its chief clerk, which aroused
his indignation and stirred him to the very depths. The work of the
division was commented upon in an exceedingly unkind way, a garbled
quotation from one of the professor’s reports given, making him say in
Substance that the new facts and therecords of observations emanating
from the division were quoted ‘‘ extensively” from the published mate-
rial of other entomologists, who were named. The remarks which fol-
lowed were filled with left-handed compliments, written in a satirical
vein, and closing with this extract:
It is not required of the entomologist that he should visit the fields and orchards, and
there study the habits of obnoxious insects of which but little is known. A contrary
impression has been entertained; but it is proper that the exact truth should be
stated. It would seem, however, that the entomologist of the Department should fre-
44
quently verify, by personal observation in the field and orchard, the correctness of the
theories and suggestions of other entomologists, and there aid them in devising rem-
edies against ravages ofinsects. Many State governments have employed entomologists
to aid the farmers in their warfare against noxious insects, and in this great work,
which requires that the broad country be frequently visited, the entomological division
of the Department of Agriculture might sometimes, without presumption, take the
lead.
Mr. Glover defended himself in a little brochure which he called “A
Vindication,” which was published shortly after, wherein the extract
referred to was given in full, the extent of quotation from other authors
stated, and other portions fully replied to. Moreover, the chief clerk
was privately held up to ridicule in a clever bit of doggerel -verse,
which the professor read to all his intimates in the Department, though
it was not permitted to get out of his hands.
Regarding the fact that the Entomological Division was not engaged
in field work throughout the country, Mr. Glover considered that his
twelve years of previous field work amounted to something, and also
maintained that it was sufficiently difficult to obtain the necessary funds
for the routine work of the division without considering the greater
expense of field observations and investigations. On this one point I
think Mr. Glover was open to criticism, as he never made the effort to
secure appropriations for the purposes of field work, but rested on past
laurels. His private work may have been partly responsible.
1 think the period from 1869 to 1872 marks the most active years of
his entomological work during his connection with the Department of
Agriculture. Not only was he more interested in the work of the En-
tomological Division, but the preparation of the text of his private work
received a greater impetus at this time, while the engraving of his
plates was steadily pushed forward. By 1870 over ten years of labor
had been spent upon his undertaking, and it had grown to such pro-
portions that the framed plates, cut to octavo size and hung upon racks
nearly 7 feet high, occupied one entire end of the Museum hall, which
was 50 feet wide. His life was now a perpetual round of systematic
employment, and he was even more settled in his habits than in 1859,
when he detailed to a friend how he spent his time in a letter previ-
ously quoted. Frequently up as early as 5 in the morning, he etched
or drew until almost 9, saving a short intermission for breakfast, which
for many years he had been in the habit of providing himself; though
later, to save additional time, it was prepared for him and sent to his
room. The hours from 9 to 3 in the afternoon were spent at the office
in anentirechange of occupation ; then back to engraving again, which
occupied him as long as he could see; then he took a short walk and
obtained his supper. The evenings were always spent in writing; and
it was a matter of pride to accomplish each night a certain task which
he set for himself, and which he would not relinquish unul the last line
was written.
45
As Mr. Glover finally sold his plates to the Governmeut (he gave his
manuscripts for nothing), the question has more than once been asked
of me if he ever employed himself upon them in any way during
the hours of official duty. To this question there is but one answer,
No! Mr. Glover himself appreciated the force of the suggestion and
the possibility of such a charge being made; and, not to be misunder-
stood in the matter, he rarely lost an opportunity to explain to visitors,
while showing his work, that it had all been done “ outside of office
hours, before 9 o’clock and after 3.” Naturally the phrase in time be-
came stereotyped.
The closing of this period marks the opening of his publishing period,
as may be termed the years from 1872 to 1878. For many years he had
talked of publication, but, as has been shown, it was always a thing of
’ the future. As far back as 1860 the matter of publication had been
discussed with his associates, and with the accumulated material of ten
years it seemed to his friends that the time had come if ever to bring
the work before the world. The late Professor Baird, a firm friend to
Mr. Glover during a period of twenty-five years, was very enthusiastic
about the matter, and upon several occasions stated his willingness to
secure a publisher. But the engraver author was not ready. The work
had reached such magnitude that he wished to complete it from his
stand-point of completion, and make it an exhaustive illustrated ency-
clopedia of American entomology, that would find a place in every
large library in the land. He did not wish to issue the entire work as
a private venture with a probable contingency of great personal pe-
cuniary loss, because it was his dream that it should be published by
the Government and be widely distributed gratuitously. The idea
had been in his mind for years, and he frequently told me, in conversa-
tions of a confidential nature, that in the event of his death he should
leave the entire work to the United States Government any way; and
at one time he seriously considered the expediency of bequeathing
with it a portion of his private fortune to complete it, and to insure its
publication in a proper wanner after his death.
The talk concerning publication was not without its influence. The
preparation of the plates had been known to the entomological public
for so long a time, and there was now so little possibility of publishing
the work in its entire ty in the immediate future, its author forsaw the
advantage of, if not the necessity for,a present recognition of the im-
portance and utility of the undertaking, which could best be secured by
preliminary publication of some of the plates themselves. It must be
admitted, too, that he was actuated toward publication in this manner
by a secondary motive—other than a wish to bring to the scientific
world a knowledge of the value and immensity of his undertaking—
and, prompted no doubt by his desire for the world’s golden opinion, a
wish to know the exact position his work would obtain in entomologi-
cal literature.
46
In 1871 he decided to bring out an author’s edition of the plates of
Orthoptera, which had recently been increased to thirteen by the addi-
tion of new Western material ; the new species described by Dr. Cyrus
Thomas and material furnished by Mr. Scudder and others forming
a considerable portion. An edition of 250 copies, large quarto, was de-
cided upon, and the letter-press was produced a single page at a time
at a small printing office in the rear of a Seventh-street book-store in
Washington. The work was very incomplete, and does not in the
smallest degree represent or carry out the design followed in the prep-
aration of his mass of unpublished ‘‘manuscript notes.” He does not
even fulfill the promise of his introduction.
His table of classification occupies about half a page, and his notes
on food and habits of Orthoptera only two pages and a half, the remain-
der of the text, some five pages, being devoted to “lists of substances
injured,” and lists of genera and species figured, or, in other words, to
the index. This is the published work on Orthoptera. In short, as a
work, so incomplete and imperfect, and giving so little idea of what had
really been done by Mr. Glover in his twelve or more years of almost in-
cessant labor, that it is to be regretted that he published it in this
shape at all. To that extent it placed the author and his great work in
a false light, even though the gratuitous publication of a dozen or more
of admirable plates alone, with over two hundred figures of correctly
named insects in a some what neglected order, was a valuable contribu-
tion to the entomological literature of America and of the times. Not
over 50 copies of the work were bound (in paper), and these were pre-
sented to the prominent entomologists and scientific institutions of the
country. The remainder of the edition lay piled in the office in sheets
for a long time; but was eventually disposed of for waste paper.
Mr. Glover received many flattering letters and complimentary no-
tices following this initiatory publication, and a year later he took steps
to bring out a small edition of the Diptera in somewhat the same man-
ner, though rather more full and complete as to the text or letter-press.
This, when: published in 1874, was a work of 133 pages, printed from
stone, upon plate paper, upon one side of the sheet only, the letter-press
being a fae-simile of the author’s wonderfully clear chirography, and it
was accompanied by 10 plates and their explanations. The history of
this publication is interesting.
The publication of the Orthoptera had been unsatisfactory even to Mr.
Glover, so much so that he contemplated a new edition, and in the
Diptera he aimed to produce something more complete and valuable.
The preparation of the manuscript was finished in the summer of 1873,
and in September it was sent to Dr. Le Baron for his opinion upon its
merits, and for revision and correction.
September 14 the doctor wrote Mr. Glover a short note, acknowledg-
ing receipt. He states that he has had a couple of days to look it over,
and that he is pleased and surprised at the amount of interesting and
47
valuable matter which it contains. A postscript is inclosed, extracts
from which are here produced :
P. $.—Since writing the above note, and before mailirg it, I have more carefully
examined the plates of Diptera, and am satisfied that they are correct; correct also,
so far as I have examined, in their minute details.
As these plates already extend to twelve in number, in addition to the supplement-
ary plate A and as all the families, I believe, are more or less fully represented, it
appears to me that the benefit accruing to students from their immediate publica-
tion more than outweighs any advartage which an additional plate could give, unless
such plate could be prepared without delay.
My idea is this: The plates now finished being so extensive and so near perfect, and
their publication having been so long delayed, I should publish them as they are, or
with such additions and corrections as you now have at your command, and leave it
for a future edition, if such be called for, to make the work still more extensive and
valuable. This is the way the thing strikes an outsider ; but perhaps you, who are
‘behind the curtain, can see difficulties which others can not. * * *
Permit me to refer to one serious inconvenience, not in the execution but in the ar-
rangement of your figures. I mean the indiscriminate mixing, on the same plates, of
insects of different families, so that the student wishing to identify a species by a ref-
erence to the plates would not know to what part of the volume to turn. If he knew
the name of the insect he can refer to it by means of the index; butif he do not know
it he will not know in what part of the book to look for it. This will be most incon-
venient in the Lepidoptera where the figures are scattered over somany pages. This
was done apparently to economize space, and we shall have to submit to the incon-
venience for the sake of the many benefits which we shall be able to derive from the
work.
September 25, 1873, Dr. Le Baron writes again as follows:
I have looked through your valuable compendium of Diptera, and have made such
suggestions and alterations as appeared to me desirable, and which I trust will meet
with your approbation. As it was impossible to examine the work thoroughly,
within the time allowed me, and in the intervals of other duties, I have confined my
examination mostly to that important portion of the work which lies between pages
92 and 180 of the manuscript. The introductory part, as I understand from the pre-
face, was compiled in a great measure from notes furnished by Baron Osten Sacken,
and therefore needs ne revision. Next follow the plates, which must be regarded as_
the special feature of the work. The figures are numerous, neat, pretty, and life-like,
and I believe, in the main, correct. As many of them are copied from other authors,
their accuracy will almost necessarily vary according to that of the respective au-
thorities. Many of the figures are taken from Packard’s Guide, and many of those
figures were prepared originally for the American Naturalist. I do not know who was
the draughtsman, nor how correct they generally are, as I have never examined them
in detail, But one of them which I have had occasion to examine recently, namely,
that of Hypoderma bovis, on page 404, and which you have copied in Plate VIII, 21,
is little other than a caricature, as you will see by comparing it with the original, or
with Westwood’s Figure 3, Plate XIX of Walker’s British pee or with your own
original figure of the text eal variety (VI, 37). 2 *
And again, October 15, 1873:
I have referred in several of my letters to the desirability of having a larger num-
ber of copies of your work on Diptera struck off than you contemplated. The idea
occurs to me that after 50 copies have been printed at yourown expense, an arrange-
ment might be made with the Naturalists’ Company to print 1,000 or more additional
copies at their expense on shares, they to have a part, perhaps a half, arising from
their sale.
48
I do not know but that it is your intention to have the work stereotyped, so that
you can have additional copies struck off hereafter ad libitum. If so, all right. But,
as I have before said, I can not bear the idea of having all the preparatory labor ex-
pended for so small a number of copies. Your work is of a popular and practical
character. It gives in a condensed form the greater part of what isknown respecting
the Diptera, with the additional advantage of being copiously illustrated by fig-
ures. The leading idea and aim of the work is that of popular distribution. The 50
copies will of course accomplish nothing of this.
The manuscript was now sent to the publishers of the American Nat-
uralist, in Salem, for an estimate of the cost of printing. In December
Mr. Glover learned that Baron Osten Sacken had returned to America,
and at once wrote to him as one of his earliest friends in science, and
one whose valuable assistance in his dipterological studies he always
gratefully acknowledged, asking his advice in the matter. The follow-
ing 1s an extract from his letter :
I have just finished and sent to the printing establishment of Putnam & Co., to
find out what would be the expense of printing, which, if you approve, I shall do at
my own expense, and publish only 50 copies for gratuitous distribution to entomo-
logical societies, agricultural colleges, etc. Now, mistrusting my own knowledge on
the subject, I fear I may have made some errors, which, taken at the present time,
before printing is commenced, may readily be corrected, but which if suffered to ap-
pear in print would only lead to future mistakes in nomenclature, ete. I would es-
teem it a personal favor if you would look the work over and make any corrections
you see fit, with your name attached, or without, as you wish. All I want is to get
the work out as perfect as I can, and I am willing to bear the whole expense for the
sake of diffusing knowledge to those who wish to learn, and have at present no fig-
ures to go by. I sent the work to Dr. Le Baron and to Mr. Uhler, who have urged
me to have the work published, and, not knowing that you would ever again visit
America, I sent the work with all its imperfections on its head to Messrs. Putnam &
Co., to put the work through as quickly as possible, as soon as they receive the man-
uscript from you.
The letter closes with apologies for troubling him, and with the re
mark that ‘the work was commenced entirely at your suggestion.” The
italics are Mr. Glover’s.
In a letter written the first week in January, 1874, he informs Baron
Osten-Sacken that he has directed Putnam & Co, to forward the work
and says:
You will find in looking over it (the MS.) that I have enlarged my plan so as to il-
lustrate as much of the subject as I could—from foreign specimens when I was unable
to procure native. Shall print 250 copies, if you think it worth the trouble; if not,
50 copies are all that I shall distribute.
Mr. Glover was hardly prepared for the reply to the above which was
returned a few weeks later; and though it was received in the same
kindly spirit with which it was written, it hurt him cruelly and very
nearly caused him to abandon the idea of publication altogether. Baron
Osten-Sacken told him frankly that the work was too unequal and too
unfinished ; that entomology in the United States had made great prog-
ress in the last twelve years; that the plan of publication which was
suitable in 1862 would appear antiquated in 1874; and finally that such
a publication would be open to criticism and financially a dead loss.
49
A few weeks later Osten-Sacken wrote a second letter, which is ap-
pended :
CAMBRIDGE, MASs., March 6, 1874.
My Dear GLover: You probably know that I have bad some correspondence
with Mr. Le Baron respecting your intended publication. I was very sorry to hear
from him that you took my letters so much to heart and that you felt discouraged in
consequence. The result of my correspondence with Mr, Le Baron was that we came
to a perfect understanding as to the main points atissue. We both think that the pub-
lication of your plates (with the scientific names appended), in the shape of one or
two volumes, would be very acceptable to the public at large. The letter-press, if
any, should consist, in my opinion, of the general introduction only to the orders and
families, with references, at the end of each family, to the figures belonging to it.
But if I were you I would publish the plates at once, without waiting for the letter-
_ press, and give the latter at leisure afterwards. In other words, your work should be
for the public at large and not for the few and for the learned societies. As such it
will fill a want in the American literature. I even confess that on this point I have
somewhat modified my opinion since my last letter, and as well named collections
are ararity your book will, to a certain extent, supply their place. But do not issue
each order as a separate work, as the people do not know much about the division of
orders yet, and as, issued in this form, the work assumes at ouce a learned appearance
which it should not have. The title should bear the word Insects, and not Coleoptera,
Orthoptera, etc., which learned terms upon a title page act as a bugvear to the un-
scientific.
Believe me always, very truly, yours,
R. OSTEN-SACKEN.
Under date April 10, 1874, Mr. Glover replied as follows:
Should have acknowledged your letter immediately, but was confined to my bed
for some days by an attack of bilious intermittent fever. When I read your first
letter I felt so much discouraged that if I had had the manuscript in my possession I
should have burned it with pleasure and forsworn entomology forever. Indeed I
have scarcely opened the book again since it came back from Putnam’s. I intended
then to publish 50 copies for gratuitous distribution among entomologists and my
personal friends, and had saved up the money to pay for its publication; but I was
so much disgusted with my own work that I invested in another manner, and should
I ever publish the plates with merely their names, as you suggest in your second let-
ter, I shall have now to wait until I can save up money to do so. At present, how-
ever, I intend to follow your advice and publish the plates as soon as I can with no
text, excepting the names and a short introduction, but shall have to refer to your
catalogue, as there is no other. I am busy revising and correcting names, notes, and
figures of my Orthoptera, and have etched from additional plates from Thomas’s new
species collected by Hayden and Wheeler. As soon as this is done I shall again com-
mence with the Diptera and prepare the names for publication. Mr. Uhler is assist-
ing me with the Hemiptera, and I intend to figure all the species I can procure dur-
ing the coming summer.
Remembering the main facts of this circumstance, but not wishing to
trust to memory in stating the matter, [ have referred to Baron Osten
Sacken, who kindly places such portions of the original correspondence
before me as are important, together with an explanation, from which
the following extracts are taken:
I made the acquaintance of Mr. Glover while I lived in Washington as secretary of
the legation of Russia. It was somewhere between 1856 and 1360 [Mr. Glover first
met Baron Osten-Sacken in December, 1857.—C. R. hey At that time, except Le
14162-——Bull 18 —4 " e 5
* ad & v .
50
Conte and Asa Fitch, there were hardly any working entomologists in the United
States ; Harris had died a few years earlier. As early as these times Glover was pre-
paring his copper-plates as a record of his collections and observations. 1 hoped he
would issue a volume with plates representing the most common insects, which, at-
that time, would have been very useful in acquainting the public with the principal
forms and in starting the subject. But years went by. I left Washington in 1862,
and it was only in 1874 that Glover wrote me to ask for my opinion about the publi-
cation of his work. * * * However,I had occasion to ascertain afterwards that
Glover had fully appreciated my frankness and my kind intention. Iam glad that
you have undertaken to write a memorial of this amiable and worthy man and sincere
lover of nature.
In consequence of the circumstances herein narrated, Mr. Glover
modified largely his previous ideas regarding the publication of the
Diptera. He decided upon a small edition of 50 copies, and chose for
the volume the modest title ““ Manuscript Notes from my Journal, or
Illustrations of Insects,” and, to carry out the idea more fully, had it
printed by lithographic transfer upon stone from his own handwriting.
Apropos of this lithographic fac-simile printing, a characteristic an-
ecdote may be related. As may be inferred his printing bill was consid-
erable. The process necessitated making, with his own hand, a eareful
copy of each page in transfer ink, and as the steps which followed
were purely mechanical he argued that with press and appliances he
could easily do the work himself. Making inquiry he learned of asmall
portable contrivance for the purpose, arranged with a cylindrical stone
and which could be obtained at a comparatively low price—less than
$100, I think. So the little printing establishment was purchased and
set up in his office in the Department. A very nice page of copy was
prepared after everything had been arranged to his satisfaction, diree-
tions were duly followed as to the transfer process, ink applied plenti-
fully, and an impression taken.
The professor’s face was a study as he took off this first sheet. Not
half of the written words appeared on the page, the transferring of the
copy not having taken from the stone. Then the printing ink had
stuck to the stone in places where the space should have been left
white, and altugether it was a very unsatisfactory beginning. Impres-
sion after impression was taken with no better success; and then it was
decided that insufficient care had been exercised in making the transfer of
the original. The next point was tocleanthestone. The directions indi-
cated that the cylinder should be placed in a concave appliance, of a
material resembling fire-brick, which accompanied the press, and the
crank turned until the ink upon its surface had all been removed. Mr.
Glover adjusted the stone, grasped the crank, and ground away until
patience was very nearly exhausted, when he called in a colored mes-
senger to helphim finish the work. Other trials followed, during which
the amateur printer lost all patience, and after keeping the contrivance
a week or two he prevailed upon the agent to take it back at a large
discount from the original cost and a professional lithographer was
again employed to do his printing.
D1
In 1876 he broaght ont the edition of Hemiptera previously referred
to, which was uniform with that of the Diptera, and distributed the 50
copies published to very nearly the same persons and institutions to
which the former volumes had been sent. The lists of the recipients
are preserved with the copies of the two works given to the National
Museum.
In all these years of publication he was adding to his plates, to the
text of his Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera, and began compilations
of similar material from original and outside sources in other orders,
including the ‘* Arachnid, Crustacea and Annilida, Entozoa, Helmin-
tha,” etc. These later volumes, both ‘“‘rough notes” and “prepared
notes,” are in the form of scrap-books, made from old public documents,
octavo size, and are preserved ip the National Museum.* But he gave
up further publication, and now devoted a considerable portion of his
time to the reproduction, by lithographic fac-simile, of the names to ac-
company the entire series of plates. These slips of names were pre-
pared and printed for every order excepting the Lepidoptera, includ-
ing the work on cotton insects; and had his health remained unim-
paired he would have finished the names for the set of Lepidoptera also.
In 1878 he issued his last publication, if publication it can be called,
an edition of 12 copies of his entire set of 273 platest with a type-printed
*In addition to his working set of plates, formerly in five quarto volumes, and his
published works, complete, the material deposited in the National Museum (before
the purchase of his plates was effected) was as follows: F
Manuscript notes upon the Coleoptera, Lepidoptera, and Diptera, with alphabetical
list of plants or substauces injured or destroyed, completed, and systematically ar-
ranged (in quarto blank-books).
Hymenoptera, notes, etc., similar to Coleoptera and Lepidoptera, but not completely
arranged or systematized, ‘‘ September, 1862.”
The same, ‘‘ rough notes” and various scraps pasted into old public documents.
Qrthoptera, ‘“‘ prepared notes,” in three volumes (old public documents).
Hemiptera and Heteroptera, rough notes, three volumes (old public documents).
Neuroptera “ rough notes,” one volume (old public document).
Cotton insects, plates and clippings from Patent Office Agricultural Reports, and
some notes, in a blank scrap-book. Arachnida, etc., and Entozoa, etc., as above,
one volume each in old public documents. There is also one volume of original fig-
ures, and the volume of the complete work, uncolored, which was presented to Pro-
fessor Baird by the author, and a few other duplicates.
Not having at hand the original list made by me when the transfer was effected, with
Professor Baird’s receipt, as the writer acted for Mr. Glover in the matter, the above
list was made up while examining the manuscripts in Washington recently (October,
1887).
+The complete set of illustrations comprises 273 quarto plates with 6,179 figures,
engraved on copper, covering the following subjects :
Plates. |Figures. | ‘Plates. | Fignres,
|
WSSpidOPteraes--j~ sien ann-i- ans ee=- £138 | 2,634 || Hymenoptera ...............--- 10 “ 346
Coleoptertve.o--ttaecssescsc—e: 49 fF Gate || WOLUNG PTELA:s > ac<- cee jee es oO 18 281
MIptera) hence css csescciecceeeesctes 13 520 | Nieuropienay 2 soem tease oe nee 7 92
PHOMID UCLA! sh hs 5 5 eric oes siee = 16 464 || Cotton and its insects -..-...... 22 215
52
title-page, a few introductory pages of classification, and catalogues of
species with references accompanying each order. The slips of names
(save the Lepidoptera) were pasted upon each plate just under the fig-
ures, the page being of quarto size. Of these 12 copies, which were of
course uncolored, 5 were sent to Europe, and 5 distributed here. Two
other copies were sold with bis library afterwards. Several copies, in
the hands of individuals or institutions, were later on ordered to be
colored, the writer having bad the work done from Mr. Glover’s origi-
nals, by a competent colorist. A list of institutions and individuals to
whom these sets were sent was made by me at the time of the distribu-
tion, but can not now be produced. One other formal publication, is-
sued in 1877, should be mentioned. I refer to the compilation of refer-
ences to the insects treated in his own and other reports, issued by the
United States Department of Agriculture and by the Patent Office, to
date of publication. It contains also a list of animal and vegetable
substances injured or destroyed by the insects referred to, the entire
volume making 103 pages, printed from stone, upon one side of the
sheet, in fac-simile, uniform with his other publications. A few sets of
his cotton plates were also distributed, bound up with a type-printed
title-page and cover.
While upon the history of Mr. Glover’s undertaking, it should be
stated that among several plans looking toward the ultimate disposition
of the work, in the event of its not being published prior to the author’s
death, there were two plans, at least, entertained by him in the latter
part of the centennial year, in which the United States Government
was wholly ignored. The first of these, which considered leaving the
work to some institution in England, with means to publish it, was
hardly seriously contemplated ; for being a work upon American insects
exclusively, it was not thought at all likely that it would claim the same
interest in England as in America. The other plan did receive consid-
eration to the extent of an inquiry of the authorities of Johns Hopkins
University, in Baltimore, as to the acceptance of a trust fund to be left
for the purpose of promoting the study of entomology. In response to
this inquiry Mr. Glover learned that the consent of the trustees could
be obtained by President Gilman to the acceptance of a given sum, to
be known as the Glover fund, the donor to specify the manner in which
he preferred the income to be spent, as follows: Either in promoting
investigation, in publishing plates and texts, or in the delivery of lec-
tures. But the plan was never consummated.
At last came his sudden and prostrating illness, in the spring of 1878,
and he retired from active labor of any kind.
Regarding the sale of his plates—in January, 1879, during the third
session of the Forty-fifth Congress, Mr. Glover first memorialized that
body, proposing to transfer to the Government the entire series, together
with the text of his entomological work. A special bill providing for
the transfer was not introduced, but the memorial was referred to the
Senate Committee on Agriculture. Professor Baird took great interest
53
in the matter, personally appearing before the committee to explain the
nature, value, and importance of the work, as well as the fact that the skill-
ful engravings of the copper plates themselves were the work of the pro-
fessor’s own hand, and had involved most unremitting labor for a period
of over twenty years. The committee showed little interest in the sub-
ject, however, notwithstanding that the memorial was accompanied by
another recommending the purchase of the work, and signed by the
prominent entomologists of the country, among whom were the United
States entomologist, professors of Yale, Harvard, and other colleges, °
and members of leading scientific societies. During the first session of
the succeeding Congress the matter was again brought to the attention
of the Committee on Agriculture, and a letter addressed to Professor
Baird from the chief engraver of the Bureau of Engraving and Print-
ing was submitted. In this letter it was stated that any skilled en-
graver would charge $100 for each of these plates, and if they were
engraved by a scientist they were worth more. Senator Davis, of West
Virginia, chairman of the committee, suggested that the committee
would recommend the purchase at a cost of $7,500; but the committee
took no formal action. This was a great disappointment to Professor
Glover, who was now anxious that the work should be purchased by
the Government, even at a nominal valuation. At the next session the
matter was brought to the attention of the House Committee on Agri-
culture, and the sum of $7,500 for the purchase of the work was included
in the sundry civil appropriation bill, and finally passed both houses,
Professor Riley using his influence towards its final passage. The
money became available soon after, and was paid to Professor Glover
early in April ensuing the 4th of March upon which Congress adjourned ;
but by this time he had become quite infirm. The result was very grati-
fying to him, though he died in September following.
No formal transfer of the plates was necessary after the purchase, as
they were already in the custody of the National Museum, having beep
deposited there by the writer after consultation with Professor Baird
at the time when Mr. Glover was first stricken and unable to act for
himself.
As to the value of his work, it gave Mr. Glover great pleasure while
living to know that it was appreciated by the late Professor Agassiz
and leading scientific men of his day. Speaking of the “ collections of
drawings,” Professor Agassiz attests ‘their excellence and great im-
portance, both in a scientific and economical point of view,” and con-
sidered “ the publication of his observations, and of the delineations of
insects injurious to vegetation as most desirable, and likely to be in
the highest degree creditable to the United States Government.” Dur-
ing the savant’s last visit to Washington, while calling upon Prof. John
W. Hoyt to talk of the proposed national university, his opinion was
asked as to the sort of work that Professor Glover was doing. Agassiz’s
reply was: ‘Magnificent! His services are extremely valuable, and
54
should he ever have occasion to leave the Department he can have a
place in the Museum of Comparative Zoology on his own terms.”
Many extracts from the letters of entomologists might be here given,
showing the estimation in which the work was held, for Mr. Glover had
many friends in the scientific world who knew him only by his labors
in this, his chosen field. But one extract will be quoted, however, from
a letter written to me by Mr. William H. Edwards, when it was first
suggested that the Government should purchase Mr. Glover’s plates :
DEAR Sir: I am very glad to hear that an effort is making to secure for the coun-
try Professor Glover’s copper plates of the insects of the United States and his manu-
script relating thereto. These materials are invaluable to us, and should Professor
Glover dispose of them in England or elsewhere the loss could never be made good.
Being an enthusiastic entomologist, as well as artist, these plates have been to hima
labor of love, and he has given to them the better part of a life-time, and executes
them with the greatest fidelity. His work on the cotton insects is beyond al: praise.
I know of nothing comparable to it on the range of entomological illustrated litera-
ture, and the plates of this work and notes belonging to them are worth, in my opin-
ion, to the country the full sum that Professor Glover requires for the entire lot of
plates and manuscript.
In giving my own estimate of this work I must regard it from the
stand-point of view that will show the intention of its author. He
never proposed to put it forth as a technical work, or as a learned con-
tribution to science, for the instruction or better information of special-
ists, advanced students, or entomological investigators already possess-
ing large libraries and collections, but he did propose to make it, when
fuliy completed, a work of referance for all orders of insects in the popu-
lar sense of the term, for all who might be seeking general information
upon subjects relating to American entomology. In his conception of
the work, as in that of his museum plan, but one idea was aimed at—
utility. It was a favorite word with Professor Glover, and whether his
original intention was a work of 80 plates or 300, or the text of 100 or
1,000 pages, his only thought was to make it so simple and so useful
that a farmer with no appreciation of entomological science could con-
sult it as he would a dictionary, and learn something of the subject
upon which he desired to inform himself. It was to be, in short, an
illustrated encyclopedia of economic entomology, and if it had been fin-
ished and published in accordance with the author’s design, there would
be nothing now in entomological literature like it. It certainly would
be wrong to judge it by his gratuitous publications. And no one, after
fully understanding the scope and design of the work, and examining
the great mass of material which represents the labor of twenty years
of Mr. Glover’s active life, will deny either its utility or its value for
the purpose for which it was intended.
Supposing the work had been published in its entirety, and dis-
tributed in the manner Mr. Glover proposed it should be, among agri:
cultural societies, to town libraries, etce.: A farmer of average intelli-
gence, we will say, comes, with an unknown insect in hand, to consult
it. It would require very slight entomological knowledge to enable
him to refer to the list of food plants to learn how many and what in-
5D
sects lived upon the particular farm crop (or plant) which had been in-
jured. This information obtained, with no knowledge whatever of
classification, he would be able, by means of the plates, to find the cul-
prit in a very little time, even if the figures were not sufficiently accu-
rate for the determination of fine specific differences. Having learned
the species, or even an allied species, reference from plate to text would
put him in possession of the main facts in the history of the insect, time
of appearance of different stages of the pest, and when and how to com-
bat it. And if the information given was not sufficient he could make
use of the references to other works there quoted.
This is, briefly, the: manner in which the work was intended to be™
used, and, as it contains over 6,000 figures of insects more or less in-
jurious (or beneficial) to American agricuiture, I may repeat that noth-
ing like it has ever before been attempted, and that its completion and
publication would have served to vastly popularize the science of ento-
mology in the United States. But while its production is a marvel of
patience, persistence, and self-sacrificing iudustry, in the twenty years
its author was engaged upon it, he might have so systematized the work
of its production—calling others to his assistance to relieve himself of
the mere drudgery—and so have organized the plan of publication that
it would have been completed and placed in every large library of the
land while he was yet entomologist of the Department of Agriculture.
The point has been made that some of Mr. Glover's figures are not
ultogether accurate, if not in some instances badly drawn. The criti-
cism is sometimes a just one, although in their entirety the drawings
will bear favorable comparison with similar entomclogical illustrations
of the times. One point must be admitted, that the earlier plates are
much better than the later ones, as will readily be seen by careful com-
parison. That thisis due to two causes there can be little doubt: Some-
what impaired, or gradually failing eyesight in the first place (the more
positive cause), and less carein the second place, through impatience
to keep up with incoming material. The completion of two plates a
month, ‘out of office hours,” and in the hours of daylight, with all the
work of making the drawings before undertaking the engraving, and
coloring six or eight sets of the proofs afterwards, should be regarded as
expeditious work for a man sixty years of age. Mr. Glover himself re-
gretted having made certain of the plates (early ones inthe Lepidoptera),
chiefly taken from Smith and Abbott’s Insects of Georgia, and from a
few later works. Some of the far western Orthoptera, too, which were
figured from alcoholi¢ specimens, and colored from descriptions, or
from other figures, and sometimes from notes made by the collector, are
not wholly satisfactory, although readily recognizable by those who
have seen the insects in life. Fault has likewise been found with his
smaller figures, many of which should have been enlarged to show
specific differences in a marked degree, natural size being indicated in
the usual manner or by a second figure. All very minute species were
properly enlarged, and are, therefore, more valuable.
36
For purposes of ordi nary identification ina general work of reference, as
this was intended to be, little fault need be found with the major portion of
the series. Ofcourse this presupposes that the plates were to be colored,
as it was not the author’s idea to issue them in any other way In fact the
very manner of engraving the figures shows this to be the case. In the
plates that were published by him, only half the editions were sent out
uncolored, and this only because of the great expense attending coloring
so many sets by hand—the distribution being entirely gratuitous.
In these days of cheapened processes for multiplied color reproduction
this matter isa serious obstacle in the way of future publication of Mr.
Glover’s plates by the Government. Even if an edition of the plates
should be issued, without the text they do not tell the whole story,
and the text is not finished; and in several orders the material is hardly
Systematized or arranged. The plates, if published alone, with only
the names, would possess a certain value even if not colored, and it
would be better to publish in this manner than not at all. Regarding
the question of coloring, if sets of the entire series were distributed
gratuitously by tlie Government, the recipients could well afford to have
them colored afterwards at their own expense from the original set.
Through combinations of a number of persons, so that a large contract
could be given out, the work could be done possibly at $35 to $40 per
set, which would be cheap for such a complete series of illustrations.
In regard to the publisied volumes which bear Mr. Glover’s name,
these are valuable from tbeir very scarcity, and from the fact that they
are all he has given us in published form, save the reports which have
appeared from time to time in Government publications. As works
giving a certain amount of information on two or three somewhat neg-
lected orders of insects they are useful; but from the stand-point of
scientific worth they are more valuable as Series of named plates than
as scientific publications—the often fragmentary and incomplete text
giving little hint of the author’s years of observation and study in the
field and vivarium.
As for the name and fame of the author, a published work compris-
ing an entire set of the plates alone is a sufficient monument to his un-
tiring industry, indomitable perseverance and skill, and to his faithful
labors through a period of twenty-five years for the advancement of
American entomological science. He wished to do more, but through
the limit set upon human endurance and existence he fell just a little
short of carrying out his great purpose. He did not strive for fame
through any contributions to the vast store-house of technical knowl-
edge, or the dry-dust records of closet investigation that he might have
made, nor did he ever wish to be considered an authority. But he early
realized the difficulties which beset the way of the student of nature,
and that other student of practical rural economy, in obtaining a knowl-
edge of the insect forms about them, at a time when there were few
books and fewer named collectious, and set to work to remedy the matter
as far as he was able.
THE GLOVER MUSEUM.
As has been stated in the biographical sketch of Mr. Glover’s life,
the museum scheme was contemplated many years before it was realized.
Indeed its first inception dates back prior to 1850, before be had left his
home on the Hudson. Regarding his collection of fruit models he
writes in 1866:
The design is to obtain from each State samples of the various fruits which have
been tried and proved; to have them modeled here, retaining one copy to be added
to the national collection, and returning duplicates (and matrices), correctly named,
to each agricultural society.
Fifteen years before this, in 1851, he made the proposition to the
Massachusetts Horticultural Society to do this same thing, and some
specimens were furnished, made from fruits sent to Mr. Glover by mem-
bers of the society. Allusions to ‘“*the specimens for the New York
State Society,” in a letter written at this period, also shows that the
idea was a very old one with its author. And all these early attempts
at exhibition tended directly towards the museum idea.
The first attempt to fully carry out the scheme was made in 1854, in
the single room which at that time constituted the Patent Office Bureau
of Agriculture; the fruit models being the chief display. At this
period they were his private property, though a year or two Jater the
proposition was made to dispose of them to the Government for $10,000.
The precise facts regarding early legislation on the subject can not be
given. Butin 1858 we learn that Mr. Glover had seen a number of gen-
tlemen, whom he names; that ‘everything appears favorable ;” and
“that the bill” will be put on ‘‘as an amendment.” Then we learn
of his showing the fruits to members of Congress, whoapproved of the
idea, and promised to vote for the purchase. Meanwhile he leaves
Washington for the field, and while pushing his investigations he
learns that the bill has been defeated by ‘Letcher and Marshall,” of
Virginia. This characteristic entry follows: ‘“ Will remember them for
it. Intend to resign in the fall, and offer to South Carolina or Mary-
land.” Asa matter of history the bill was passed, though Mr. Glover
did not receive the money, through ‘ misappropriation of funds.” In
1867, however, the purchase was consummated, the sum of $10,000 be-
ing appropriated for the purpose, Hon. J. W. Stokes, then acting
Commissioner of Agriculture, having been instrumental in effecting its
passage.
57
58
To go bavk again to the year 1856, he makes statements on the sub-
ject, in a letter to his cousin, which throws interesting light on the
museum scheme. He says:
I ask $10,000 for the whole, with the proviso that I work six years to finish the
grand undertaking of modeling all the fruits, esculent roots, ete., of the United
States, and label them with the name, synonym, habit, soil, etc., so as to form the
nucleus of a grand National Agricultural Museum. How do you like the plan?
The difference to Mr. Glover between selling his fruits in 1856 and in
1867 was, that before the war he would have received this money in
gold, whereas he received it in a ‘depreciated currency ;” and, in ad-
dition to the fruit models, gave a collection of 600 specimens of birds,
which he had subsequently prepared and brought together, at consider-
able expense of money and time, while at the Maryland Agricultural
College. Even while connected with this institution, his labors, still
in the line of the practical and utilitarian, were directed towards the
acquirement of a collection. Mr. Glover was a skillful taxidermist,
and was a capital shot, notwithstanding the peculiarity of his eye-sight ;
and as he tramped over the adjacent country, cane-gun in hand, using
it also as a walking-stick, he doubtless appeared more as a rural gen-
tleman than the enthusiastic naturalist that he was.
In August, 1864, the new museum was founded in the rooms of the
recently established Department of Agriculture. At this time the
models (some 3,000 in number) and the collection of birds above men-
tioned constituted the major portion of the cabinet. This was soon
augmented by donations, solicited or otherwise, or by occasional pur-
chases, and a mass of material was very soon gotten together repre-
senting, in one way or another, nearly every portion of the country. In-
sects, birds, plants, and botanical specimens, cereal products, fibers, and
the products of industrial art and manufacture were all included in the
collections, and the museum was fairly established. From this time for-
ward, up to and including the centennial year, its growth was steady
and rapid.
Regarding the plan or scheme of arrangement, which was most com-
plete in detail, it is not necessary to go into particulars here, as it is
fully described on page 27 of the Annual Report of the Department of
Agriculture for the year 1866.
Briefly, the museum was to be embraced in three divisions—a general,
State, and economic. The first he was to illustrate by complete series
of specimens of each of the various agricultural products from the seed,
through all stages of growth and after preparation for human use, up
to the highest range of manufacture. In the State division would be
shown the classified products of each State and Territory, including
minerals, soils, vegetable products, and manufactures; while in the eco-
nomic division would be displayed the commercial products of the vege-
table kingdom from every portion of the world. It was a grand scheme,
but too immense to be fully carried out in the cramped quarters assigned
59
to it, and in the days of ridiculously small appropriations. And here
pardon a digression. In one of the biographical sketches of the man,
which appeared at the time of his death, 1t is said that ‘‘ during his en-
tire service he never asked for special appropriations for tbe pursuit of
investigations in any particular interest.” This is true, but while he
never “asked” for appropriations—. e., by persistent personal labor
with committeemen—he never lost the opportunity to explain to Con-
gressmen or other visitors of influence the benefits to be derived by
American agriculture in the establishment of such a museum in Wash-
ington; and he always closed with a tersely-put statement as to the
ridiculously small sums of money that were available from the annual
appropriations with which to carry on the work. And upon one ocea-
sion, some years after the establishment of the museum, he made such
an impression upon an enthusiastic committeeman who was visiting the
collections that the sum of $3,000 was shortly afterward appropriated
for the museum, to be spent under Mr. Glover’s special direction. It
nearly took his breath away, and, as his assistant, [ well remember how
hard it was to get him to use all of the money, as any unexpended bal-
ance at the end of the fiscal year would be turned back in the Treasury,
the reluctant purchase of a microscope nearly using up the amount re-
maining on hand the last of June.
It was natural for him to talk the museum scheme to all who would
listen. He believed in his plan, thought over it, worked for its perfec-
tion, confidently believing in its ultimately attaining the fullest realiza-
tion of success. The two rooms in the Patent Office were soon filled to
overflowing ; and when the designs were being made for the new build-
ing to be erected for the Department of Agriculture an exhibition hall,
50 by 100 feet in dimension, was contemplated, which it was thought
would be ample for the purpose. This was occupied in the fall of 1868,
twelve walnut cases having been provided for the reception of the va-
rious collections at that time brought together. But even in the new hall
the “plan” was hardly fulfilled in the arrangement. The “ State divi-
sion” was represented by a single case of California products, the other
two divisions not being distinctively indicated, the entire museum being
at the same time “ general” and ‘“ economic,” as its specific collections
were as yet Small and very incomplete.
As a man of deep originality and thought may make a wonderful dis-
covery or produce a valuable invention, and yet find himself lacking in
that worldly knowledge which would enable him to apply it with the
least difficulty to the uses of every-day life, so it was to a certain degree
with Mr. Glover in relation to his admirable museum scheme. Stronger
as an originator, or an investigator, than as an organizer, he lacked in
a measure executive ability. He wasable to outline and perfect a splen-
did system, but unable to carry it out save as he might do so through
the untiring labor of his own hands. This was the one drawback in the
preparation of his great work on entomology ; and it showed itselfin the
60
building up of his museum in a marked degree after it had reached a
certain point in its growth. The fact may be stated that in carrying
out the museum scheme it was notdeveloped beyond this certain point,
and the suggestion is offered that the theory of its arrangement may
have interested him more than the thing itself; for, with his devotion
to his work on entomology, which was an all-absorbing interest at this
period, he could not have given his time and thought to both. It was
the dlustration of the conception of the plan, and not the museum as a
whole, that was almost daily presented to its visitors.
For example: The California case was always inspected to illustrate
the State division and the arrangement of its minerals, its vegetable
products, and its manufactures explained. Turning to the collections of
fruit in other cases near, the model of the Baldwin apple was invaria-
bly exhibited, showing its manner of growth in various sections of the
country, thus demonstrating the localities where special fruits thrived
best. Stepping to another case, the bluebird was always pointed out,
with the distinctive mark upon its perch showing that it was a friend
and not a foe to the farmer; and a little box of insect remains from its
stomach, by its side, furnished the proofof his statement. Flaxseed in
variety was shown in another case, illustrating the “ general” museum,
together with the fiber in various stages of growth and manipulation to
the most delicate linen fabrics, and in the same manner the seed, oil,
and oil cake.
The scheme was most complete and admirable, reflecting the great-
est credit upon its originator, and if carried out would have made it
one of the grandest economic museums in the world. But it would have
necessitated a building larger than the entire Department of Agricult-
ure, and the outlay of many thousands of dollars, with the one draw-
back that in its State division there would have been endless repeti-
tion of the same thing, unless somewhat modified. Mr. Glover appre-
ciated this fully, and there was never an attempt, beyond the points of
illustration noted, to make it other than an economic museum of agri-
culture on the simplest possible basis of display. These statements are
made to explain in a measure why so valuable and utilitarian a scheme
of arrangement was never fully completed.
As an economic museum or “object library” the collections increased,
at first slowly, then rapidly, so rapidly in fact that it was difficult to
supply case-room as fast as the specimens came in. It literally out-
grew the long entertained plan of arrangement, and as Mr. Glover be-
came more aud more absorbed in his entomological work he finally
threw the greater part of the responsibility of the museum from off his
shoulders altogther, his assistants having charge of and carrying on
the work in its several branches, while he assumed merely nominal
control. By this time the collection of fruit models had been greatly
augmented by Prof. William H. Seaman, who had charge of this branch,
as well as the microscopic work of the Division, a large series of the
61
principal vegetables also having been added; while a regularly ap-
pointed taxidermist, Mrs. Teresa Drexler, made considerable additions
to the collections of birds and poultry. Miss Caroline C. Moulton was
mnseum attendant.
Then the preparations for the Centennial Exhibition of 1876 were in-
augurated, the supervision of the work of getting up the museum ex-
hibit devolving upon the assistant entomologist,* who, co-operating af-
terwards with Professor Baird, was enabled to almost double the eol-
lections of the department from foreign exhibits, necessitating the erec-
tion of a gallery on each side of the museum hall.
Mr. Glover had by this time so far lost interest in the museum, being
now wholly absorbed in his entomological work and its publication,
that when the acquisition of this great mass of material necessitated a
better classification and arrangement of the museum display the for-
mulation of anew plan of arrangement was left entirely to the writer,
The classification which was then devised is published at the end of
the entomologist’s report in the annual volume for 1877, pages 118 to
148,t in a special report made to Mr. Glover.
It may be stated that the scheme of arrangement set forth in this
published classification was closely followed in the reorganization which
shortly followed.
The museum was now (1877) at the zenith of its importance and use-
fulness, and shortly after its decline began. The first calamity which
occurred to it was the loss of many of its large and valuable collections
gathered at the Centennial, which, for want of afew hundred dollars
worth of display bottles and other material suitable for their exhibition,
asked for and repeatedly refused, remained stored in the garret above
the museum hall. Through the officiousness of the property clerk of
the department, appointed by Commissioner Le Duc, or by the Com-
missioner’s order, this mass of material was either sold to a junk dealer
or thrown on a rubbish heap, according to its market value at “junk”
prices, and thousands of dollars’ worth of valuable museum material
wasted and destroyed. Then followed Mr. Glover’s retirement from
active duty, and as the assistant entomologist shortly after resigned,
and other changes had occurred in the museum corps, the museum was
practically left without care, as no regular curator was appointed for
several years. Dr. Vasey was given nominal charge for a time, but his
own duties as botanist were sufficient to occupy his whole attention.
The remainder of the story is briefly told. A wooden exhibition build-
ing had been erected in one corner of the department grounds for the dis-
play of railroad exhibits and other similar exposition displays. More
*See Agricultural Report for 1876, p. 17.
tThe entomologist reluctantly incorporated this museum report and classification
into his own report, signing his name to the two documents in one to avoid running
counter to the whims and absurd prejudices of the gentleman who was then Com-
missioner of Agriculture. This statemeut is made in simple justice to the author of
the report.
62
office rooms were needed in the department building than its cramped
quarters afforded, and in time the space in the splendid museum hall was
encroached upon. The collections thus displaced were removed to the
exposition building referred to above, though some, as the fibers and
birds and a few of the more valuable economic collections, were trans-
ferred to the National Museum, where they are carefully preserved,
though as yet not placed on exhibition. As to the remaining portion
of the “Glover Museum,” it is pretty nearly as is was left ten years ago,
save that many of the collections of specimens have suffered from want
of care and attention, and that the museum hall is now given over to
other uses, for the specimens, those that were worth further preserva-
tion, were transferred to the exhibition building mentioned during the
winter just passed.
To conclude: The scheme of the museum, as contemplated by Mr.
Glover, was original and unique, however some of its special features
may have been suggested by European museums, and it is to be regretted
that it could not have been perpetuated and preserved in the original
space expressly designed for its accommodation, and where its founder .
and father labored for its establishment and watched so long its growth
and development.
And what more remains to be said? The influence of such a man as
Mr. Glover is shown to have been has made itself felt, though the ul-
timate outcome of his schemes for the diffusion of knowledge among
his fellow men did not reach the perfect realization that he had dreamed.
‘‘T confess I have no idea how one man had the power alone to accom-
plish so much work in such a superior manner,” Prof. Hagen once
wrote of him. He could not have accomplished more, for he did that
which his hands found to do with all his might while his strength
lasted, and then he rested from his labors.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
Mr. Glover’s entomological writings are confined almost exclusively to
his reports published in the Annuals of the Patent Office, and the United
States Department of Agriculture, and the few published works which
bearhis name. Hisearliest writings, as far as [have been able to discover,
date back to the fall of 1853, and, with one exception, relate to pomo-
logical subjects rather than to entomology. He wrote occasionally for
the Fishkill Standard, usually in a satirical vein, hoiding up to ridi-
cule some local abuse, though not, as far as I know, upon entomological
subjects. It is also surmised that he wrote a series of articles for The
States, published in Washington before the war, in which the short-
comings of a public official were pointedly reviewed. If there were
scientific articles written at this period of his life other than his Patent
Office reports, with a single exception, I do not know of them, and his
personal scrap-book does not reveal them. It is a known fact that he
could not be induced to contribute to current literature during the pe-
riod of his labors in the Department of Agriculture, though he was fre-
quently urged to do so.*
Throwing out, therefore, all titles which are known to represent mere
republications from his reports, the record is reduced to the following
titles, which, as far as I have been able to learn, are the published arti-
cles, works, or writings of Townend Glover.
1. “Popular Fallacies.” American Agriculturist, November 9,1853. Signed “G.”
A short article on the many impracticable insect remedies which go the rounds of the
agricultural press. year after year, unproven and unchallenged.
Nore.—At the same period, and in the same jour-
nal, the following general articles were published over
the same initial: Planting Shade Trees along High-
ways and Railroads, Nov. 23, 1853; Pomological Dream,
Nov. 30, 1853 ; and Pomological Realities (on pear cult-
ure), Dec. 23, 1853.
2. Insects Injurious and Beneficial to Agriculture. Report of the Commissioner
of Patents for 1854. Agriculture. p. 59-89. Illust. by six plates engraved on
stone by the author.
A paper on insects injurious to the cotton plant, wheat, and the grape-vine ; and on the
plum curculo, codling-moth, and peach-borer, closing with a shortaccount of some of
the common species of beneficial insects.
~ *T find in one of his scrap-books a lengthy communication, clipped from some
newspaper unknown to me, which must have been a published official reply to some
correspondent of the Department. It is omitted from the bibliography.—C. R. D.
63
64
3. Report on Insects. Report of the Commissioner of Patents for 1855. Agricult-
ure. p. 64-119. With 48 wood-cut illustrations, from drawings by the author.
A report on insects frequenting the cotton plant; insects upon the stalk, leaf, terminal
shoots, flower, boll, and rotted bolls; insects found in the cotton fields not injurious to
the crop, and insects beneficial to cotton. Also contains a report on insects injurious
and beneficial to the orange tree—the orange scale.
4. Paper upon Entomology. Read before the meeting of the United States Agricult-
ural Society. Dated Jan. 11, 1856. National Intelligencer. Date of publica-
tion cannot be given. (Republished in Fishkill Standard.)
5. On Destroying Injurious Insects. American Agriculturist, Oct., 1856. Vol. 15.
p. 304.
6. Reports on Orange and Cotton Insects. Report of the Commissioner of Patents
for 1858. Agriculture. p. 256-272. .
Report on insscts frequenting the orange trees of Florida, including remarks on the orange
tree by D. J. B. (Browne). Also contains report on insects injurious to the cotton
plant in Florida. Notes on cut-worms and the cotton-stainer.
7. The Hang-Worm. Report of the Commissioner of Patents for1859. Agriculture.
p. 551-554. 1 Figure.
An answer to a correspondent of the U.S. Patent Office, giving the history of ‘‘ Oiketicus,”
(Thyridopteryx ephemerceformis).
8. Report of the Entomologist. Annual Report of the (U. S.) Commissioner of Ag-
riculture for 1862. p. 561-579.
Contains notice of the establishment of the Agricultural Museum, and article on the habits
of the principal species of Coleoptera injurious to agriculture.
9. Report of the Entomologist. Annual Report of the (U. S.) Commissioner of
Agriculture for 1864. p. 540-564.
A short report on the Museum, followed by a description of the habits of principal in-
jurious species of Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, Heteroptora,
Homoptera, and Diptera.
10. Report of the Entomologist. Annual Report of the (U. 8.) Commissioner of
Agriculture for 1865. p. 33-45.
A report on the progress of the Museum, followed by a brief synopsis of habits of birds
examined and placed in the Department since the last report.
11. Entomological Exhibition in Paris. Annual Report of the Commissioner of
Agriculture for 1865. p. 88-102.
Treats of entomology on pages 88-94, 101-102; the rest is on agricultural museums, botan-
ical gardens, the gardens of acclimation in Paris, and the collection of the Zoological
Society of London. Habits of European injurious insects compared with those of re-
lated American insects; habits of European. beneficial insects; silk culture noticed;
grand gold medal awarded to Glover for his work on entomology.
12. Report of the Entomologist. Annual Report of the (U. 8.) Commissioner of
Agriculture for 1866. p. 27-45.
I. Contains brief statements regarding the insects which have been reported on by the
division for the year. II. Contains an economic paper on insects and their uses—
chiefly relating to the products of insects, as honey, wax, cochineal, etc.
13. Injurious to Cotton Plants. Monthly Reports (U. S.) Department of Agricult-
ure for 1866.
A series of articles on the most injurious of the cotton insects, as follows (illustrated) :
No. 1. June. p. 239-241.
No. 2. July. p. 282-285.
3. Sept. p. 831-335.
No. 4. Oct. p. 377-378.
No. 5. Nov. and Dee. p. 421-424.
14. The same. In Monthly Report for 1467. No. 6 of the series, January, 1867.
p. 21-23.
65
15. Report of the Entomologist. Annual Report of the (U.S.) Commissioner of
Agriculture for 1867. (p. 53-76.) 16 illustrations.
A report on the insects most injurious to agriculture during the year, that had been re-
ceived by the Entomological Division.
16. The Potato Beetle. Monthly Report Department of Agriculture for January,
1868. p. 22.
17. The Food and Habits of Beetles. Annual Report of the (U. S.) Commissioner
of Agriculture for 1868. p. 78-117; and 114 outline illustrations.
Part I. An article on the food and habits of the more common species of Coleoptera. Part
II. An alphabetical list of the principal animal and vegetable substances either fre-
quented or injured by beetles, with the names of the beetles frequenting them.
18. Report of the Entomologist. Report of the (U. 8S.) Commissioner of Agricult-
ure for 1869. p. 60-64.
A very brief report, relating entirely to the Museum of the Department.
19. Report of the Entomologist and Curator of the Museum. Annual Report of
the (U. S.) Commissioner of Agriculture for 1870, p.65-91, 59 illust.
A record of the work of the Entomologist Division for the year, including new facts relat-
ing to injurious insects from other sources.
20. Entomological Record. Monthly report of the Department of Agriculture for
1871. p. 332-335,
Notes on the Colorado beetle, the chinch-bug, ravages of grasshoppers, thrips, etc.—[These
notes, together with the records published in ensuing monthly reports for several years,
were for the most part embodied in the annual reports of the Department, prepared at
the time of or after their publication in this form.
21. On the Grape-Vine Hopper. Monthly Report for October, 1871. p. 403.
22. Entomological Record. Monthly Report for November and December, 1871.
p. 477.
On twig-girdlers, strawberry insects, cte.
23. Report of the Entomologist and Curator of the Museum. Annual Report of
the (U. 8.) Commissioner of Agriculture for 1871. p. 69-88. 23 illust.
A record of the principal insects reported on by the Department during the year.
24. Destructive Grasshoppers in California. Monthiy Report of the Department
of Agriculture for January, 1872. p. 22.
25. The Utah Cricket. Monthly Report, February, 1872. p. 74.
26. The Cabbage Moth. Idem. March and April, 1872. p. 137.
27. A New Grasshopper. Idem. May and June, 1872. p. 215.
28. Entomological Record. Idem. July, 1872. p. 304-307.
29. Entomological Record. Idem. August and September, 1872. p. 366-369.
On peach-tree insects, and misc. insect injuries.
30. Entomological Record. Idem. October, 1872. p. 438-439.
On the army or ‘‘snake-worm ” insect injuries.
31. Entomological Record. Idem. November and December, 1872. p. 497-499.
On a large grasshopper and insect injuries.
32. Report of the Entomologist and Curator of the Museum. Annual Report
Commissioner of Agriculture for 1872, p. 112 138. 26 illustrations.
I. Report on the entomological work of the division for the year, with brief history and
habits of the insects recorded. II. A paper entitled ‘‘ Notes ov the Diptera, with the
principal remedies in use for injurious insects in this order.”
14162—Bull 18——5
66
33. Illustrations | of | North American Entomo-ogy. | (United States and Can-
ada)—by Townend Glover, Washington, D. C. | Orthoptera. | Washington,
D.C. | 1872. Large quarto; text, 1l pp. 13 plates with names,
This work, the only one printed from type, contains: An introduction, arrangement of
families, notes on food and habits of orthoptera, parasites, list of substances injured
by orthoptera, lists of genera and species figured, list of desiderata and errata. 250
copies printed; 50 distributed gratuitously, the remainder of the edition having been
destroyed.
34. A Vindication of the Entomological Division of the U.S. Department of
Agriculture. Private print, 1872. p. 6.
Published in reply to statements made in ‘‘The Department of Agriculture, its History
and Objects,’ a pamphlet issued, 1872, by the chief clerk of the Department. Gra-
tuitously distributed.
35. Entomological Record. Monthly Report of the Department of Agriculture, for
1873. p. 29-31.
Notes on the apple-twig borer, the rose bug, plum insects, and other insect injuries.
36. The Tobacco-worm. Idem. April, 1873. p. 164.
37. Entomological Hecord. Idem. May and June, 1873. p. 237-238. Notes on the
apple-twig borer and Colorado beetle.
38. Entomological Record. Idem. July, 1873. p. 345-347. Notes on corn in-
sects, the grape-vine root louse, trap-door spider, Colorado beetle, luminous
larvee, ete.
39. Entomological Record. Idem. August and September, 1873. p. 426-427. On
Paris green, the Phylloxera, ete.
40. Entomological Record. Idem. October, 1873. p. 496-497. Notes on grape-
vine borers and insect injuries.
41. Entomological Record. Idem. November and December, 1873. p. 571-578.
Notes on the phyloxera, the Colorado potato beetle, protection against cotton
moths, Xyloryctes satyrus, and insect injuries.
42. Report of Rntomologist and Curatorofthe Museum. Report of the U.S. Com-
missioner of Agriculture for 1873, p. 152, 169. 10 illust. -
A brief report on the injurious species of insocts reported during the year with conclu-
sions, etc., relative to the use of Paris green and other poisons in combating cotton
insects.
43. Entomological Record. Monthly report of the U. 8. Department of Agricult-
ure, for 1874. p. 43-45.
Notes on the Phylloxera, Paris green, the cotton caterpillar, &c.
44. Entomological Record. Idem. April and May, 1874. p. 221-222. On luminous
beetles, and poke-root as an insecticide.
45. Entomological Record. Idem. July, 1874. p. 324-330. On Colorado petato
beetle, and notes on insect injuries.
46. Entomological Record. Idem. August and September, 1874. p. 373-376.
Notes on insect injuries.
47. Entomological Record. Idem. October, 1874. pp. 428-431. Experiments with
Phylloxera, the cotton worm, etc.
48. The Grape-root Gall-louse. Idem. November and December, 1874. p. 506-7,
49. Report of Entomologist and Curator of the Museum. Report of the United
States Commissioner of Agriculture for 1874. p. 122-146. 20 illust.
Parr I. A brief report on the Colorado potato beetle and other insects, giving the new
facts of the year. Par? II. An economic paper on the Orthoptera.
50.
58.
59.
60.
67
Manuscript Notes from my Journal | or | Illustrations of Insects | Native
and Foreign | Diptera | or | Two-winged Flies. | Washington, 1874.
Written by Townend Glover. Transferred and printed from stone by Jas. F. Gedney,
4to. pg. III, plates I-XII, pl. A (each witha page of explanation) pg. 120, printed only
on one side of the sheet. Only 45 copies printed for gratuitous distribution.)
(a) Introduction, p. I-III. (b) Figures of about 340 imagos, 160 young, 30 habitations, and
numerous details of about 400 species, pl. I-XII. (v) Anatomical details of 86 genera
pl. A. (d) Arrangement of families, p. I. (e) Alphabetical list of the families and gen-
era of Diptera mentioned in this work, with synonyms, habitat, food, etc., p. 2-59,
(f) Alphabetical list of predaceous or parasitic Diptera, the larve or perfect flies of
which destroy other insects, p. 60-62. (g) Alphabetical list of vegetable and animal
substances, etc., inhabited, injured, or destroyed by Diptera, p. 63-78. (h) Alphabeti-
cal list of insects of other orders either destroyinz Diptera or destroyed by them, p,
79-85. (i) Alphabetical list of names of authors, and of authorities quoted, p. 86-89,
(j) Abbreviations used in this work, p. 90. (k) Alphabetical list of some of the gen-
era, ete., of Diptera, with derivation of names, p. 91-93. (1) Alphabetical list of the
species of Diptera, and other orders, fungi, ete., with derivation of names, p 94-100
(m) Supplement. 1. Remedies, p. 101-111. (n) Alphabetical list of insects, etc., men.
tioned in Report on Remedies, p. 112. (0) Synoptical tables (of divisions and families),
p. 113-118. (p) Definition of terms, p. 118. (q) Addenda, p. 119-120. (r) Notes, p,
120.
. Recent notes on the Phylloxera, from Foreign Sources. Monthly Report U.
S. Department of Agriculture for January, 1875. p. 40.
. On Beneficial Insects. Idem. April, 1875. p. 175-6.
. Entomological Record. Idem. May and June, 1875. pp. 221-230. On cut-
worms; Phylloxera in Austria, the same in France; locusts, etc.
. Insect Injuries. Idem. July, 1875. p. 307-310.
. Insect Injuries. Idem. August and September, 1875. p. 367-370.
Entomological Record. Idem. October, 1875. pp. 442-445. Notes on the
chineh-bug and Colorado beetle.
. Report ofthe Entomologist and Curator ofthe Museum. Report of the (U.S.)
Commissioner of Agriculture for 1875. pp. 114-136. 63 illust.
Part I. An Economic paper on the ‘‘ Heteroptera or Plant Bugs.’”” Parr II. Remedies
reported to ve serviceablo in destroying insects in the Suborder Heteroptera or plant
bugs.
Insect Injuries. Monthly Report of the U. S. Department of Agriculture,
1876. p. 245.
Insect Injuries. Idem. August and September, 1876. p. 333-336,
Manuscript Notes from My Journal | or | Illustrations of Insects | Native and
Foreign | Order Hemiptera | suborder Heteroptera | or plant-bugs. | Washing-
ton, D. C. | 1876.
Written and etched by Townend Glover; transferred and printed from stone by J. C. Ent-
wisle, 1876. (2)+2+410—133 p. (p. 1-57bis, p. 58-132), 10 pl. (pl. 1-9 colored), printed
only on one side of the sheet. (Only 53 copies printed, for gratuitous distribution.)
Title; copyright. . (4) Introduction, p.1-2. (b) About 325 figures of about 257 imagos,
19 young and numerous anotomical details of about 240 species, pi. 1-10, each pl. with
ap. of explanatory text. (c) Arrangement of families, etc., of the Heteroptera, or
plant-bugs (Burmeister’s arrangement (1835), p. 1-6, p. 16; Westwood’s (1840), p. 7-9,
p. 16; Amyot and Serville’s (1843), p. 9-12, p.16; Douglas and Scott’s (1861-1865), p.
12-15, p. 17), p. 1-17. (d) Alphabetical list of the families and genera of Heteroptera
mentioned in this work with synonyms, habits, food, habitat, etc. (includes, with others,
all the species mentioned in Say’s works, with the names of the genera to which they
have more recently been removed), p. 18-73. (e) Alphabetical list of predaceous or
parasitic Heteroptera, the larve, pupx, or perfectinsects of which destroy other in.
sects, p. 74,75. (f) Alphabetical list of vegetable and animal substances frequented,
injured, or destroyed by Heteroptera, p. 76-85. (g) Alphabetical list of insects of other
68
orders either destroying Heteroptera or destroyed by them, p. 86, 87. (h) Alphabetical
list of the names of the authors and of authorities or societies, etc., referred to in this
work, p. 88-91. (i) Abbreviations, etc., used in this work (with a diagram of three
French inches divided into lines), p. 92. (j) Remedies reported to be serviceable in
destroying insects of the suborder Heteroptera or plant-bugs, p. 93-96. (k) Alphabet-
ical list of (some principal) sections, families, and genera of the Hemiptera, Heterop-
tera, with derivation of names, etc.. etc. (compiled from the works of various authors,
omitting many synonyms, and referring the genera to the families of Amyot and Ser-
ville’s classification}, p. 97,112. (l) Alphabetical list of species, of the Hemiptera,
Heteroptera (with translation of the names and referring the synonyms to their proper
genera), p. 112-118. (m) Genera as arranged in the entomological cabinet of the Mu-
seum of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 1876 (with reference to
the pages on which the genera are mentioned in Amyot & Serville’s Histoire naturelle
des Hemipteres, Paris, 1843), p. 119-123. (mn) Extracts from the list of Hemiptera, of 5
the region west of the Mississippi, including those collected by the Hayden explora-
tions of 1873, by P. R. Uhler, Baltimore, Md., Washington, D. C., January 1876 (giv-
ing Uhler’s arrangement of the ‘‘ families, &c.,”’ and referring to the pages on which
the genera are mentioned in that work, (see Rec. No. 568), p. 124-137. (0) Notes of the
habits of the Heteropterous insects, with the latest changes in the nomenclature, po-
sition, and classification of the various families, subfamilies, genera, and species
(taken from Uhler’s List (see Rec. No. 568), and referring to the pages of that list), p.
128-131. (p) Errata and addenda, p. 132. (q) List of (4%) societies and individuals to
whom a copy of this work has been sent (1876), p. 132.
61. Report of the Entomologist and Curator of the Museum. Report of the
U. 8. Commissioner of Agriculture for 1876. pp. 17-46. Illust., p. 59.
I, Contains report of Chas. R. Dodge on the Museum exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition.
II. Economic paper by the Entomologist on the Homoptera,
62. Report of the Entomologist and Curator of the Museum. Report of the
Commissioner of Agriculture for 1877, pp. 89-148, Plates V, Figs. 100, ‘repro-
duced from the authors’ engravings of Hymevoptera.
I. Economic paper on the Hymenoptera in relation to American Agriculture; II. A re-
port on the Museum Division, with a systematic classitication for economic museums,
prepared by Charles R. Dodge.
63. Manuscript Notes from my Journal | or | Entomological Index | tonames, &c., |
in | Agricultural Reports | with list of | Vegetable and Animal Substances In-
jured or Destroyed by Insects | Washington, D.C., | 1877. 103 pages, quarto.
Written and etched by Townend Glover, and printed on stone.
50 copies were printed for gratuitous distribution.
64. Illustrations | of | North American | Entomology | in the orders of | Coleoptera,
Orthoptera, Neuroptera, Hymenoptera, Lepedoptera | Homoptera and Dip-
tera | By Townend Glover | Washington, D.C. | 1878.
The entire set of 273 plates, with names of species on each plate in every order but Lepe-
doptera. Contains, also, arrangement of families, compiled from various authors, in
each order, with alphabetical lists of families and alphabetical lists of species, with
references to plate and figure Twelve copies only were printed for gratuitous dis-
tribution, chiefly to institutions in this country and in Europe. The series also con-
tained the 22 plates of cotton insects though not so stated on the title page. This was
Mr. Glover’s last work, issued only a short time before he was forced to cease his
labors and to end his active connection with the Department of Agriculture.
)
PLATE I.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Division of Entomology, Bulletin 18.
A REPRODUCTION OF AN EARLY PLATE ON STONE.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. |
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 19.
AN ENUMERATION ©
PUBLISH HD
OF THE
SYNOPSES, CATALOGUES, AND LISTs
NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS;
TOGETHER WITH OTHER INFORMATION INTENDED TO ASSIST THE
STUDENT OF AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGY.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFIOE.
1888.
22310—Bull 19
o> WP ePakTVMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 19.
AN HNUMERATION
OF THE
bea i Sa: Wa) Bice pl a Ul aD,
SYNOPSES, CATALOGUES, AND LISTS
NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS;
TOGETHER WITH OTHER INFORMATION INTENDED TO ASSIST THE
STUDENT OF AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGY.
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1888.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., May 15, 1888.
Str: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 19 of
this Division, being an enumeration of the published synopses, cata-
logues, and lists of North American insects; together with other infor-
mation to assist the student of American Entomology.
Respectfully,
Cl Y. RILEY.
Entomologist.
Hon. NORMAN J. CoLMAN,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
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Systematic Works on single Orders of Insects :
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INEMUEOP CER Anaic atsicicin cin cepas. mci ioaticeiet See Ss Se eye toe rami Nae wate ete, Se ormeis le sents
MELO Dae arene ene esas sien ei ere we nia tins oo Me args Decree ae oes eee
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AN EXCITING SS SEBS CEO Ce SOB EISCISe OO SEER TE oe ae tet rs Se eRe AEE
MISO EMtoMmological Periodicals Sas-.c cess sn naccicce tecmee Gece ce cemems eee
Minor VW orkson Economic. Entomology, .-.. -- 2... 222. .ce2cce seca scee sae
List of Entomological Works published by the U. 58 anrencieeeal Commission
andiihenw. Sa Department om Acriculturesss. 2: ce-esecieece css foe eisesisecte
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SYNOPSES, CATALOGUES, AND LISTS OF NORTH
AMERICAN INSECTS.
INTRODUCTION.
Inquiries regarding the works most useful for the determination of
our native insects, as also about the most useful general works of ref-
erence, are among the most coustantly recurring ones received by the
Entomologist; but satisfactory and short replies are in most instances
impossible, for the reason that the information is not contained in a
few comprehensive works, but is scattered through many different peri-
odicals and other publications. A complete list of such works, even of
those pertaining to a single Order of insects, is too long to be given in
an ordinary letter, and to obviate the difficulty experienced in such
correspondence this bulletin has been prepared.
It was not our intention to compile a complete bibliography of the
classification of North American insects, but to give briefly the refer-
ences to such works and papers as are most useful for the identification of
our insects. Thus, we originally planned to give only the titles of mon-
ographs or synopses of families or subfamilies and to reject all papers
which contained disconnected descriptions of new species, or revisions
and synopses of isolated genera. But while preparing the bulletin it
was felt to be advisable to include smaller synoptic papers. For instance,
several large families, e. g., the Scarabieidz among the Coleoptera, have
recently been quite carefully revised, but the literature is in the form
of synopses of single genera which, in their aggregate, form a more or
less complete monograph of the whole family. In this case either these
smaller synopses had to be mentioned in this bulletin or the whole fam-
ily had to be omitted.
On the other hand, many of the monographs here mentioned are an-
tiquated, so as to be of little value at the present time; or they are
monographs comprising the genera and species of all countries, and
difficult for the student of the American fauna to use, from the fact that
the descriptions of the American genera are almost lost amongst the
mass of foreign material.
It were futile to attempt to discriminate in such an enumeration
between the more useful and the more or less useless, but as a rule we
would recommend to the student to consult rather the later than the
7
8
older publications. Unfortunately there are marked exceptions to the
rule; as a few of the latest synoptic and descriptive papers by the
younger authors are most insufficient and unsatisfactory. We have
added a list of the special works on Economic Entomology, and also
of those published by the U. S. Entomological Commission and by the
Department.
There are a good many comprehensive classificatory works on Euro-
pean insects, but the almost complete absence of such works in this
country is a great bar to the progress of entomology and is the inevit-
able outcome of the immense mass of inaterial to be worked up and of
the comparatively small number of workers in monographic entomology,
As will be seen from the contents of this bulletin, the publications of
this kind even in Orders most worked up, as in Coleoptera and Lepidop-
tera, are greatly scattered ; while in the less popular Orders compara-
tively little has been done. Yet with the many earnest workers now in
the field we may hope to see this present want met at no very remote
period, and if the present bulletin should prove of temporary service it
will not have been prepared in vain, though intended chiefly to relieve
the Division of a great deal of letter-writing.
The preparation of the titles was originally placed in charge of Mr.
B. Pickman Mann, but was in such shape when he left the office as to
require almost entire rewriting. This has been mainly done by Mr. E.
A. Schwarz, though other members of the Divisional force have assisted.
C. V. RB.
PUBLISHED SYNOPSES, CATALOGUES, AND LISTS OF NORTH
AMERICAN INSECTS.
COMPREHENSIVE WORKS MOST USEFUL FOR THE STUDY OF
NORTH AMERICAN INSECTS.
H. C. C. BuRMEISTER.—Handbuch der Entomologie. Berlin, 1832-55.
5 vols. Vol. I. Allgemeine Entomologie.
The first volume treats of general entomology; Vol. II, part 1, of the Hemip-
tera; part 2, of Orthoptera; the remaining volumes of Coleoptera.
The first volume has been translated by W. E. Shuckard, under the title:
Manual of Entomology. 1 vol. London, 1836.
J. O. WEstWwoop.—An introduction to the modern classification of in-
sects, founded on the natural habits and corresponding organiza-
tion of the ditferent families. 2 vols. London, 1839-40.
THomas Say.—Complete writings on the Entomology of North America ;
edited by John L, Le Conte. New York, 1859.
H. A. Hacen.—Bibliotheca Entomologica. Die Litteratur iiber das
ganze Gebiet der Entomologie bis zum Jahre 1862. Leipzig, 1862.
A. S. PackAaRb.—Guide to the study of insects. Henry Holt & Co.,
Philadelphia and New York. Many editions. (First edition, Sa-
lem, 1869.)
THE STANDARD NATURAL History. Edited by John Sterling Kings-
ley. Boston, S. E. Cassino & Co., 1884-’35.
Volume II contains the insects, which are treated by the following anthors :
Hymenoptera, J. H. Comstock and L. O. Howard; Coleoptera, Geo. Dim-
mock; Lepidoptera, H’y Edwards and C. H. Fernald; Diptera, 8S. W. Wil-
liston; Orthoptera, ©. V. Riley; Hemiptera, P. R. Uhler; Neuroptera, A.
S. Packard; Arachnida, J. H. Emerton.
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HYMENOPTERA.
I.—CATALOG UES.
E. T. CRESSon.—Catalogue of the described species of North American
Hymenoptera. <Proe. Entomol. Soc. of Philadelphia, Vol. I, 1861-
63.
®. T. CRESSoN.—Catalogue of Species and Bibliography. Part 2 of
Synopsis of the Hymenoptera of America, north of Mexico.
<Transactions of the Am. Entomol. Soc., Supplementary volume,
1887. Phila., 1887.
II.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
E. T. CRESSON.—Synopsis of the families and genera of the Hymeno-
ptera, north of Mexico, together with a catalogue of the described
species and bibliography. <Transactions Am. Entomol. Society,
Supplementary volume, Part I, 1887.
The second part contains the Catalogue of Species and Bibliography.
TII.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
TENTHREDINIDA AND UROCERIDA.
EDWARD Norton.—Catalogue of the described Tenthredinidz and Uro-
ceridze of North America. <Trans. Amer. Ent Soc., Vol. I, 1867,
pp. 31-84 and 193-280; Vol. II, 1868-’69, pp. 211-242 and 321-367.
Gives synoptic tables of genera and species of both families; the Uroceride
are treated in Vol. II, pp. 349-367.
K. T. CrEsson.—Catalogue of the Tenthredinidwe and Uroceride of
North America. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880, pp. 55-
68.
A synonymical reference list of the species; the Uroceride are treated on
pp. 66, 67.
PETER CAMERON.—Monograph of the British Phytophagous Hymen-
optera. 2 vols. London, 1882-’85.
Contains in arrangement of the subfamilies and genera of Tenthredinidie,
which has been reproduced by Cresson in his general work of classifica-
tion.
CYNIPID A.
R. OsSvEN SACKEN.—On the Cynipide of the North American oaks and
their galls. <Proe. Entom. Soc. Philadelphia, Vol, I, 186163,
pp. 47-72; additions and corrections, l. ¢., pp. 241-259.
11
12
R. OSTEN SACKEN.—Contributions to the Natural History of the Cyni-
pide of the United States. <Proc. Entom. Soc. Phil., Vol. II,
1863-64, pp. 33-49; Vol. LV, 1865, pp. 331-380; Trans. Amer. Ent.
Soe., Vol. ILI, 1870-71, pp. 54-64.
Continuation of the foregoing paper, both containing valuable contributions
to the classification of genera and species.
B. D. WALSH.—On Dimorphism in the Hymenopterous genus Cynips;
with an Appendix, containing hints for a new classification of Cyni-
pide, including descriptions of several new species inhabiting the
Oak galls of Illinois. <Proc. Entom. Soc. Phil., Vol. II, 1853~64,
pp. 443-500.
GusTAV MaAyr.—Die Genera der gallenbewohnenden COynipiden.
<zOter Jahresbericht der Communal-Oberrealschule im I. Bezirk.
Wien, 1881.
W. H. ASHMEAD.—A bibliographical and synonymical catalogue of the
North American Cynipidze, with description of new species.
<Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. XII, 1885, pp. 291-304.
W. H. ASHMEAD.—Synopsis of the North American subfamilies and
genera of Cynipide. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XIII, 1886,
pp. 59-64.
W. H. ASHMEAD.—On the Cynipidous Galls of Florida, with descrip-
tions of new species and Synopses of the described species of North
America. <Trans. Am. Entom. Soc., Vol. XIV, 1887, No. 2, pp.
125-158.
ICHNEUMONIDZ.
EDWARD Norton.—Catalogue of our species of Ophion, Anomalon,
Paniscus, and Campoplex. <Proc, Entom. Soe. Phil., Vol. I. 1863,
pp. 357-368.
Synoptic arrangement of the North American genera and species of the sub-
family Ophionine.
EK. T. CRESSoN.—Descriptions of North American Hymenoptera in the
collection of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia. <Proc.
Entom. Soe. of Phil., Vol. III, 1864, pp. 131-196.
Consists chiefly of a synopsis of the North American species of the genus
Ichneumon.
EK. T. CRESSON.—A list of the Ichneumonide of North America, with
descriptions of new species. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. I,
1867, pp. 289-312; Vol. II, 186°~69, pp. 89-114.
EK. T. CREsson.—Descriptions of new species belonging to the subfam.
ily Pimplariz found in America, north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer-
Entom. Soc., Vol. III, 187071, pp. 143-172.
Tabulates the genera Pimpla, Polysphincta, Glypta, Arenetra, Lampronota,
Xylonomus, Odontomerus, with a list of all species.
13
B. D. WALsH.—Descriptions of North American Hymenoptera | with
notes by E. T. Cresson]. <Trans. St. Louis Acad. Sci., Vol. III,
1873, pp. 65-166.
EK. T. CREsson.—Notes on the species belonging to the subfamily
Ichneumonides found in America, north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer.
Entom. Soc., Vol. VI, 1877, pp. 129-212.
A synopsis of the genera and species of the subfamily Ichneumonine.
BRACONID 4G.
E, T. CrREsson.—List of the North American species of the genus Al-
eiodes, Wesmael. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soce., Vol. II, 1868-69,
pp. 377-382.
C. V. RitEY.—On North American Microgasters, with descriptions of
new species. <Trans. St. Louis Ac. Se., Vol. [V, No. 2, 1881.
T. A. MARSHALL.—Monograph of the British Braconide. Part I.
<Trans. Entom. Soc. London, 1885, pp. 1-280, Pl. I-IV.
Marshall’s classification is that reproduced by Cresson in his Synopsis.
CHALCIDID As.
A. FOERSTER.—Synoptische Uebersicht der Familien und Gattungen
in den beiden Gruppen der Chalcidiz Spin. und Proctotrupii Latr.
<Jahresber. d. héheren Biirgerschule in Aachen, 1856.
EK. T. CRESSON.—Synopsis of the North American species belonging to
the genera Leucospis, Smicra, and Chaleis. <Trans. Amer. Entom.
Soc., Vol. LV, 187273, pp. 29-60.
L. O. Howarvp.—Descriptions of North American Chalcididz from the
collections of the U. S. Department of Agriculture and of Dr. C. V.
Riley, with biological notes [first paper], together with a list of the
described North American species of the family. <U. 8. Depart-
ment of Agriculture, Bureau of Entomology. Bulletin No. 3.
Washington, 1885.
L. O. HowarpD.—A generic synopsis of the Hymenopterous family
Chaleididee. <Eutomol. Amer., Vol. I, 1885-86, pp. 197-199 and
215-219; Vol. II, pp. 33-38.
PROCTOTRUPID i.
L. O. Howarp.—A generic synopsis of the Hymenopterous family
Proctotrupidie. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soce., Vol. XIII, 1886, pp.
169-178.
CHRYSIDID &.
EDWARD Nortron.—On the Chrysides of North America. <Trans.
Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. VII, 1878-79, pp. 233-242.
Gives tables of genera and species.
S. FRANK AARON.—The North American Chrysidide. <Trans. Amer.
Entom. Soc,, Vol. XII, 1835, pp. 209-248, Pl. V(X.
14
FORMICID (including allied families).
G. L. MAYR.—Die Formiciden der Vereinigten Staaten von Nordamerika.
<Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, 1886.
MUTILLID ZA.
CH. A. BLAKE.—Synopsis of the Mutillidee of North America. <Trans.
Amer. Entom. Soce., Vol. III, 187071, pp. 217-265; Additions and
Corrections, Vol. IV, 1872~73, pp. 71-76.
Cu. A. BLAKE.—Catalogue of the Mutillidee of North America, with
descriptions of new species. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol.
VII, 1878~79, pp. 243-254.
Cu. A. BLAKE.—Monograph of the Mutillide of North America.
<Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. XII, 1886, pp. 179-286.
This monograph supersedes the synopsis by the same author.
SCOLIID Ai.
H. DE SAUSSURE & J. SICHEL.—Catalogus specierum generis Scolia,
Geneve, 1864.
SAPYGID A.
KE. T. Cresson.—[Synoptie table of the North American species of
Sapyga.| <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880, pp. xx—xxi.
POMPILID &.
E. T. CRESSon.—Notes on the Pompilide of North America, with de-
scriptions of new species. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. I, 1867,
pp. 85-150.
SPHECID &.
W. H. Parron.—Some characters useful in the study of Sphecide.
<Proe. Bostou Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XX, 1880, pp. 378-385.
Critical notes on genera and species.
LARRIDZ.
A. 8. PACKARD, JR.—Revision of the Fossorial Hymenoptera of North
America. I. Crabronide and Nyssonide. <Proc, Entom. Soe.
Phil., Vol. VI, 1866, pp. 89-114 and 353-444.
This work includes revisions of the following families: Larride, Bembecide,
Philanthide, Mimesid, Mellinide, Pemphredonide, and Crabronidx.
W. H. Parron.—List of North American Larride. <Proc. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XX, 1880, pp. 385-397.
Table of genera; list of and notes on species.
BEMBECID &.
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See work cited under Larride. |
OF. PaTton.—The American Bembecide: Tribe Stizini. <Bull.
U.S. Geolog. and Geogr. Survey, Vol. V, No. 3, 1879, pp. 341-347.
15
NYSSONID As.
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See work cited under Larridz.]
E. T. CrESson.—Descriptions of the species belonging to the genus
Nysson, inhabiting North America. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc.,
Vol. IX, 1881-’82, pp. 273-284.
PHILANTHID At.
E. T. CREsson.—Monograph of the Philanthide of North America.
<Proc. Entom. Soc. Phil., Vol. V, 1865, pp. 85-132.
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See work cited under Larridz. |
W. H. Patron.—Notes on the Philanthinsze. <Proc. Boston Svc. Nat.
Hist., Vol. X X, 1880, pp. 397-405.
K. T. CREsson.—[Table of the North American species of the genus
Bucerceris.| <Trans. Amer. Entom.Soc., Vol. X, 1882~83, pp. v—viil.
MIMESID &.
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See work cited under Larride. |
MELLINID A.
A. 8S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See work cited under Larridz. |
PEMPHREDONID®.
A.S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See, work cited under Larride. ]
CRABRONID A.
A. 8S. PACKARD, Jr.—[See work cited under Larridz.]
MASARID&.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Synopsis of American Wasps. Solitary Wasps.
<Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, 254, Washington, 1875.
This work monographs the American Masaridz and Eumenidz
EUMENID.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—[Work just cited. |
VESPID A.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Eitndes sur la famille des Vespides. Monogra-
phie des guépes sociales ou de la tribu des Vespiens. Paris, 1853.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Bemerkungen itiber die Gattung Vespa, be-
sonders iiber die amerikanischen Arten. <Stettiner Entom. Zeit.,
Vol. XVIII, 1857, pp. 114-117.
HENRI DE SAvuSsuRE.—Note sur les Polistes américains. <Ann.
Soc. Entom. France, 1857, pp. 309-314.
16
ANTHOPHILA (Andrenide and Apidae).
EK. T, CRESSON.—A list of the North American species of the genus
Anthophora, with descriptions of new species. <Trans. Amer.
Entomol. Soce., Vol. LI, 186869, pp. 289-293.
HK. T. CREssSoN.—Catalogue of North American Apide. <Trans.
Amer. Entom. Soce., Vol. VII, 1878~’79, pp. 215-232.
A synonymical reference list of the species.
W. H. PATToN.—Generic arrangement of the Bees allied to Melissodes
and Anthophora. <Bulletin U.S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey, Vol.
V, No. 3, 1879, pp. 471-479.
IM
COLEOPTERA.
I.—CATALOGUES AND CHECK-LISTS.
F, E. MELSHEIMER.—Catalogue of the described Coleoptera of the
United States. Revised byS. S. Haldeman and J.L. Le Conte.
Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1853.
Now antiquated, but still the only reference catalogue of North American
Coleoptera.
JOHN L. LE ConrE.—List of the Coleoptera of North America. Pre-
pared for the Smithsonian Institution. Part I. Washington,
Smithsonian Instution, 1863~’66.
A synonymical check-list; incomplete, the second part having never been pub-
lished.
G. R. CrotcH.—Check-list of the Coleoptera of America, north of Mex-
ico. Salem, Mass., Naturalists’ Agency, 1873.
GEMMINGER AND HAROLD.—Catalogus Coleopterorum hucusque de-
scriptorum synonymicus et systematicus. 12 vols. Munich, 1868-
"76.
A synonymical reference catalogue of the Coleoptera of the whole world.
E. P. Austrin.—Supplement to the Check-list of the Coleoptera of
America, north of Mexico. Boston, 8S. E. Cassino, 1880.
SAMUEL HENSHAW.—List of the Coleoptera of America, north of Mex-
ico. Philadelphia, American Entomological Society, 1885.
This supersedes all previousslists.
SAMUEL HENSHAW.—First Supplement to the List of Coleoptera of
America, north of Mexico. <Entomologica Americana, Vol. II,
1887, pp. 213-220.
Also issued as separate pamphlet by the Brooklyn Entomological Society.
II.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
J. L. LE ContrEe.—Classitication of the Coleoptera of North America.
Washington, Smithsonian Institution. Part I, 1861; Part I, 1873.
Only completed as far as the Cerambycide; the rest has never been pub-
lished.
WILLIAM LE BAaRon:—Outlines of Entomology, published in connec-
tion with the author’s Annual Reports upon injurious insects. Part
first. Including the Order of Coleoptera. Fourth Annual Report
on the Noxious and Beneficial Insects of the State of Illinois. Sep.
Edit. Springfield, 1874.
22310—Bull 19 2 17
18
J. T. LACORDAIRE.—Histoire naturelle des Insectes. Genera des
Coléoptéres, ou exposé méthodique et critique de tous les genres
proposés jusqwici dans cet ordre Winsectes. [Completed by J.
Chapuis.] Paris, France, 185476. 12 vols. and 1 vol. plates.
JOHN L. LE ConrE AND GEORGE H. Horn.—Classification of the
Coleoptera of North America. Prepared for the Smithsonian In-
stitution. Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1883.
This is the most recent and the only complete classification of North Ameri-
can Coleoptera.
JOHN L. LE Conre.—New Species of North American Coleoptera.
Smithsonian Miscell. Coll., Nos. 167 and 264 (2 parts).
Contains, besides descriptions of numerous isolated species, synoptic tables of
many genera.
II.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
SAMUEL HENSHAW.—References for specific identification. <Appen-
dix II of Le Conte and Horn’s “ Classification,” 1883, pp. 535-552,
A ‘list of bibliographical references to memoirs, in which more or less com-
plete synopses of the families, genera, and species of the Coleoptera of
the United States have been published.”
Since the following list includes only synopses on families, subfamilies, or
tribes, Mr. Henshaw’s paper must be consulted in regard to single genera.
CICINDELID i.
F. G. ScHaupp.—Synoptic tables of Coleoptera, Cicindelide. <Bull.
Brooklyn Entomological Society, Vol. VI, November, 1883, and
subsequent numbers. Also issued as separate pamphlet by the
Brookl. Ent. Soe.
CARABIDA.
J. L. Lu Conre.—Notes on the classification of the Carabide of the
United States. <Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., Ser. 2, 1853, Vol. X,
pp. 363-405.
GEORGE H. HoRN.—On the genera of Carabide, with special reference
to the fauna of Boreal America, <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soe., Vol.
IX, 1882, pp. 91-196, Pl. III-X.
Of most of our generaof this exteusive family we have monographs or syuop-
ses by Drs. Le Conte, Horn, or by Mr. Crotch, and the tables for the de-
termination of the species are reproduced and angmented by some origi-
nal tables in the Bulletin of the Brookl. Ent. Soe., from Vol. I to Vol.
VI. Since that time only one important paper has been published, viz:
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the species of the tribe Lebiini.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. See., Vol. X, 1883, pp. 126-163.
dee cen 4.
Pee
19
HALIPLID As.
G. R. CrotcH.—Revision of the Dytiscide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. LV, 1872~73; Haliplides, pp.
383-385.
DYTISCID &.
G. R. Crotcu.—[ Work just cited; Dytiscides, pp. 385-424. |
Davin SHARP.—On aquatic carnivorous Coleoptera or Dytiscide.
<Trans. Royal Dublin Soc., 1882, Ser. 2, Vol. Il, pp. 179-1003,
plates.
A monograph of the Dytiscidz of the whole world.
GYRINID A.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—The Gyrinide of America, north of Mexico.
<Proc. Ac. Nat, Se. Phil., 1868, pp. 365-373.
M. ReEGIMBART.—Essai monographique de la famille des Gyrinides.
<Ann. Soe. Ent. de France, 188283, with eight plates.
Treats of the Gyrinidz of the whole globe.
HYDROPHILID A.
JoHN L. LE ContTE.—Synopsis of the Hydrophilide of the United
States. <Proc. Acad. Se. Phil, Vol. VII, 1855, pp. 356-375.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Revision of the genera and species of the tribe
drobiini. <Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., 1873, pp. 118-137.
SILPHID &.
JOHN L. LE ConrE.—Synopsis of the Silphales of America, north of
Mexico. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phila., Vol. VI, 1853, pp. 274-287.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Silphide of the United States,
with reference to the genera of other countries. <Trans. Amer.
Entom. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880, pp. 219-322, Pl. V-VII.
SCYDM ZNID A.
JOHN L. LE CONTE.—Synopsis of the Scydmenide ef the United States.
<Proe. Ac. Nat. Se. Phila., Vol. VI, 1854, pp. 149-157.
PSELAPHID 4.
Joun L. LE ConrE.—On the Pselaphidz of the United States. <Bos-
ton Journ. Nat. Hist., Vol. VI, 1850, pp. 64 110.
Emit BRENDEL.—Synopsis of the genera and species of the family Pse-
laphide. <Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil., Vol. VI, 1866-7, pp. 31-38.
20
THos. L. CASEY.—Euplectini. <Contributions to the descriptive and
systematic Coleopterology of North America. Part II, pp. 93-122.
STAPHYLINID 4.
GrorRGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the genera and species of the Staphy-
linid tribe Tachyporini of the United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent.
Soc., Vol. VI, 1877, pp. 81-128, 1 pl. .
JOHN L. LE ContE.—On certain genera of Staphylinidz, Oxytelini,
Piestidz, and Micropeplide, as represented in the fauna of the
United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VI, 1877, pp. 213-
252.
A. FAUVEL.—Staphylinides de VAmérique du Nord. Partie Il. <No-
tices entomologiques, No. 7, 1878.
Treats the Micropeplide, Piestini, Phlcocharini, Protinini, Homalini, and
Oxytelini (incomplete).
GEORGE Hl. Horn.—Synopsis of the Quediini of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1879, pp. 149-167.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the species of Staphylinus and the
more closely allied genera inhabitating the United States. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1879, pp. 185-200.
JoHN L. LE ConTE.—Short studies of North American Coleoptera.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880.
Tabulates the following genera: Leptacinus (p. 168); Leptalinus (p. 171),
Xantholinus (p. 171), Lathrobium (p. 174), Liparocephalus (p. 177),
Stilicnus (p. 178), Sunius (p. 179).
Tos. L. CAsSEy.—Revision of the Stenini of America, north of Mexico.
Separate publication; without date.
TRICHOPTERYGID A.
A. MATTHEWS.—Trichopterygia illustrata et descripta. London, 1871.
A monograph of the Trichopterygide of the whole world.
A. MATTHEWS.—Synopsis of North American Trithopterygide.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XI, 1884, pp. 113-156.
SCAPHIDIID 4s.
JOHN L. LE Conre.—Synopsis of the Scaphidiidz of the United States.
<Proc. Acad, Nat. Se. Phil., 1860, pp. 321-324.
PHALACRID A.
JOHN L. LE CONTE.—Synopsis of the Phalacridz of the United States.
<Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VILI, 1856, pp. 15-17.
e wvstatilal
21
CORYLOPHID &.
JOHN L. LE ContTE.—Remarks upon the Coccinellidz of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VI, 1852, pp. 129-145.
The Corylophidz are treated on pp. 141-145.
COCCINELLID A.
EH. MULSANT.—Spécies des Coléopteres triméres sécuripalpes. Lyon,
1851 2 vols.; 1 vol. Supplement. Paris, 1853.
A monograph of the Coccinellidz of the whole world.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Remarks upon the Coccinellide of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil., Vol. VI, 1852, pp. 129-141.
G. R. CrotcH.—Revision of the Coccinellidze of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. IV, 1873, pp. 363-382.
G. R. CRotcH.—Revision of the Coccinellide. Ed. by R. Rippon.
London, 1874.
Treats also of the Coccinellidz of the whole world.
EROTYLID A.
J. T. LACORDAIRE.—Monographie de la famille des Erotyliens. Paris,
1842.
JoHN L. LE ConTE.—Synopsis of the Erotylide of the United States.
<Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VII, 1854, pp. 158-163.
G. R. CRotcH.—Synopsis of the Erotylide of Boreal America. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. IV, 1873, pp. 349-358.
G. R. CrotcH.—Revision of the family Erotylide. London, 1876.
These two works treat of the Erotylide of the whole world.
ENDOMYCHID A.
JOHN L. LE CONTE.—Synopsis of the Endomychide of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Se. Phil., Vol. V1, 1853, pp. 357-360.
A. GERSTHCKER.—Monographie der Endomychiden. Leipzig, 1858.
Treats of the Endomychide of the whole world.
G. R. CRotcH.—Synopsis of the Endomychide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. [V, 1873, pp. 359-363.
COLYDIID A.
GrorGE H. Horn.—/{Revision of the Bostrychide and] Synopsis of
the Colydiidee of the United States. <Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc.,
Vol. XVII, 1878, pp. 555-592.
22
RHYSSODID &.
JOHN L. LE ContEeE.—Notes on the Rhyssodide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. V, 1875, pp. 162-168.
CUCUJID A.
JOHN L. LE CoNTE.—Synopsis of the Cucujides of the United States
<Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VII, 1854, pp. 73-79.
THos. L. CASEY.—Revision of the Cucujidee of America, north of Mex-
ico. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XI, 1884, pp. 69-112, Pl. 1V-
VIII,
MYCETOPHAGID A.
JOHN L. LE CoNTE.—Synopsis of the Mycetophagide of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VILLI, 1856, pp. 12-15.
GEORGE H. HorN.—[Synoptic tables of Mycetophagus, Triphyllus,
and Litargus.] <Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XVII, 1878, pp.
603-608.
DERMESTID Z.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Synopsis of the Dermestidz of the United States.
<Proc. Acad. Nat. Se., Vol. VII, 1854, pp. 106-113.
HorRAcE F, JAYNE.—Revision of the Dermestide of the United
States. <Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XX, 1882, pp. 343-377,
plates 1-4.
HISTERID &.
JOHN LE ConTE.—A monograph of the North American Histeroides.
<Boston Journ. Nat. Hist., Vol. V, 1845, pp. 32-66, plates.
JOHN L. LE ContTE.—Synopsis of the species of the Histeroid genus
Abreus Leach, inhabiting the United States, with descriptions of
two nearly allied genera. <Proc. Acad. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VI,
1853, pp. 287-292.
S. E. DE MARSEUL.—Essai monographique sur la famille des Histé-
rides. 2 vols. and supplement. Paris, 1853-59, 38 pl.
A monograph of the Histeridz of the whole world.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Histeridz of the United States.
<Proc. Amer. Philos. Soe., Vol. XIII, 1873, pp. 273-360, plate.
NITIDULID 43,
GEORGE H. Horn.—Revision of the Nitidulids of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1879, pp. 267-336.
reves eeibil
23
MONOTOMID 4%.
GEorGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Monotomide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1879, pp. 257-267.
LATHRIDIID Ai.
C. G. VON MANNERHEIM.—Versuch einer monographischen Darstel-
lung der Kifergattungen Corticaria und Lathridius. <Germar’s
Zeits. f. Ent., Vol. V, 1845, pp. 1-112.
JOHN L. Le ConTE.—Synopsis of the Lathridiides of the United
States and northern contiguous territories. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se.
Phil., Vol. VII, 1855, pp. 299-305.
BYRRHID 2.
JOHN L. LE CoNTE.—Synopsis of the Byrrhidz of the United States.
<Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VII, 1854, pp. 113-117.
PARNID,
JOHN L. LE ContT&.—Synopsis of the Parnide of the United States.
<Proce. Ac. Nat. Sc., Vol. VI, 1852, pp. 41-45.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Parnide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. III, 1870, pp. 29-42.
DASCYLLID.
JOHN L. LE ContTE.—Synopsis of the Atopide, Rhipiceride, and Cy-
phonide of the United States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VI,
1853, pp. 350-357.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Dascyllide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880, pp. 76-114, plate.
RHIPICERID &.
JOHN L. LE CONTE [see paper just cited].
GEORGE H. Horn.—Notes on Elateride, Cebrionid, Rhipiceride, and
Dascyllide. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Voi. [X, 1881, pp. 85-86.
ELATERID 4.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Revision of the Elateridz of the United States.
<Trans. A mer. Philos. Soc., n. ser., Vol. X, 1853, pp. 405-508.
BE. DE CANDEZE.—Monographie des Elatérides. 4 vols. and 3 supple-
ments. Liege, 1857-81.
H. DE BoNVOULOIR.—Monographie de la famille des Eucnémicdes.
Paris, 187175, 42 plates.
24
GEORGE H. Horn.—Notes on Elateridz, Cebrionid, Rhipiceridz, and
Dascyllide. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. LX, 1831.
Tabulates Aplastus, p. 77; Plastocerus, p. 78; Eutk<sanius, p. 79; and the
subfamily Cebrioninie, p. 82.
JOHN L. LE ContkE.—Short studies of North American Coleoptera
(No. 2). <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XIi, 1884.
Tabulates Drasterius, p. 4; Megapenthes, p.6; Elater, p.8; Agriotes, p. 15.
GEORGE H. HoRN—A study of some genera of Elateride. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soe., Vol. XII, 1884, pp. 33-52.
Tabulates Horistonotus, p. 34; Esthesopus, p. 41; Ludius, p. 45; Eniconyx,
p. ol.
GEORGE H. HoRN.—A monograph of the species of the subfamilies
Eucnemine, Cerophytine, and Perothopine, inhabiting the United
States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XIII, 1886, pp. 5-58.
THROSCID A.
H. DE BONVOULOIR.—Essai monographique sur la famille des Thro-
scides. Paris, 1859-60; with supplement.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Throscidze of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XII, 1885, pp. 198-208.
BUPRESTID Ai.
CASTELNAU DE LAPORTE & GORY.—Monographie des Buprestides.
Paris, 1835.
JOHN L. LE ContrE.—Revision of the Buprestide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., n. ser., Vol. XI, 1859, pp. 187-258.
G. R. CRoTcH.—Notes on the species of Buprestidz found in the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1873, pp. 84-96.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Revision of some genera of Buprestide. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. X, 1882, pp. 101-112.
Revises the group Anthaxie, viz., the genera Melanophila, Anthaxia, Xeno-
rhipis.
GEORGE H. HoRN.—A monograph of the species of Chrysobothris in-
habiting the United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XIII,
1886, pp. 65-123, plates II-VII.
LAMPYRID A.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Synopsis of the Lampyrides of Temperate North
America. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. V, 1851, pp. 331-347.
JOHN L. LE ConteE.—Synopsis of the Lampyridz of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. [X, 1881, pp. 15-72.
sail
25
{
MALACHIID &.
Joun L. Le ConteE.—Catalogue of the Melyrides of the United States,
with descriptions of new species. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol.
VI, 1852, pp. 163-171.
JOHN L. LE ContE.—Revision of the Dasytini of the United States.
<Proce. Ac. Nat. Se., Phil., 1866, pp. 349-361.
GEO. H. Horn.—Synopsis of the Malachide of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. IV, 1872, pp. 109-127.
CLERID 4.
M.SPINoLA.—Essai monographique sur les Clérites, insectes Coléoptéres.
Génes, 1844, 2 vols., 47 plates.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Synopsis of the Coleopterous insects of the group
Cleridx, which inhabit the United States. <Ann. Lye. Nat. Hist.,
New York, Vol. V, 1849, pp. 9-35.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopis of the species of Cymatodera and Tri-
chodes of the United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. V,
1876, pp. 220-232.
PTINID &.
A. BoILDIEU.—Monographie de la tribu des Ptiniores. <Ann. Soe.
Ent. France, 1856.
A monograph of the subfamily Ptinine.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Prodromus of a monograph of the species of the
Tribe Anobiini, of the family Ptinide, inhabiting North America.
<Proc. Ac. Nat. Se., Phil., 1865, pp. 222-244.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Revision of the Bostrichide of thé United States.
<Proe. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. X VII, 1878, pp. 540-555.
CUPESID 2%.
JoHN L. LE ContE.—On the Oupeside of North America. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. V, 1874, pp. 87-88.
CIOID 2.
J. MELLIE.—Monographie de V’ancien genre Cis des auteurs, <Ann.
Soc. Ent. France, 1848, pp. 205-274 and 313-396, 4 plates.
LUCANID 2.
CHAS. Fucas.—Synopsis of the Lucanide of the United States. <Bull.
Brookl. Ent. Soc., Vol. V, 1882, pp. 49-52 and 57-60, 1 plate.
26
SCARAB HID A.
JOHN L. LE ConrE.—Notice of three genera of Scarabeide found in
the United States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VIII, 1856,
pp. 19-25.
Treats of Ligyrus, Aphonus, and Polymechus.
JOHN L. LE ContTe.—Synopsis of the Melolonthid of the United
States. <Journ. Ac. Nat. Se, Phil., ser. 2, Vol. III, 1856, pp. 225-
288.
Gro. H. HoRN.—Notes on some genera of Coprophagous Scarabeide
of the United States. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. III, 1870,
pp. 42-51.
Tabulates Copris, p. 42; Canthon, p. 44; Amechanus (Bradycinetus), p. 48;
Bolboceras, p. 49; Odontezus, p. 50.
Gro. H. Horn.—Description of the species of Aphodius and Dialytes
of the United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. III, 1870, pp.
110-134,
GEO. H. Horn.—Synopsis of Aphodiini of the United States. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. III, 1871, pp. 284-297.
Continuation of the foregoing paper.
Gxro. H. Horn.—Descriptions of new Coleoptera of the United States,
with notes on known species. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. Tie
1870~71.
Tabulates Cyclocephala, p. 334; Catalpa, p. 337; Cremastochilus, p. 339.
Guo. H. Horn.-—Synonymical notes and descriptions of new species of
North American Coleoptera. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. V,
1875.
Tabulates Onthophagus, p. 137; Ligyrus, p. 143; Strategus, p. 143.
GrEoRGE H. HorN.—Revision of the United States species of Ochodeus
and other genera of Scarabeide. <lrans. Am. Ent. Soc., Vol.
V, 1876, pp. 177-197.
Tabulates Ochodeus, p. 177; Macrodactylus, p. 183; Dichelonycha, p. 183;
Ceenonycha, p. 192; Trichius, p. 194.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Contributions to the Coleopterology of the United
States, No.3. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880.
Tabulates Geotrnpes, p. 144; Phileurus, p. 147; and describes the species of
Plectrodes, p. 145.
FREDERICK BLANCHARD.—On the species of Canthon and Phanzus
of the United States, with notes on other genera. <Trans. Amer.
Ent. Soc., Vol. XII, 1885, pp. 163-172.
Gro. H. Horn.—A monograph of the Aphodiini inhabiting the United
States. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soe., Vol, XIV, 1887, pp. 1-110,
Supersedes the cwo papers cited above.
| Pani ole Mile
.
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ro
27
GEORGE H. Horn.—Revision of the species of Lachnosterna of Amer-
ica north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XIV., 1887,
pp. 209-296, pl. IIT.
CERAMBYCID A.
S. S. HALDEMAN.—Materials towards a history of the Coleoptera Lon-
gicornia of the United States. <Trans. Amer. Philos. Soe., ser. 2
Vol. X, pp. 27-67; and Proc. .Am. Philos. Soc., Vol. IV, 1847, pp.
371-376.
JOHN L. LE ConrE.—An attempt to classify the Longicorn Coleoptera
of the part of America north of Mexico. <Journ. Ac. Nat. Se.
Phil., ser. 2, Vol. I, 1850, pp. 311-340; Vol. If, 1852, pp. 5-38;
pp. 99-112 and 139-178.
JOHN L. LE ConTE.—Note on the classification of the Cerambycida,
with descriptions of new species. <Proe. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1862,
pp. 38-42.
JOHN L. LE CoNTE.—New species of North American Coleoptera. Pre.
pared for the Smithsonian Institution. Part UI. <Smithson. Mise.
Coll., Vol. XI, 1874.
Tabulates the following genera: Criocephalus, p. 169; Eburia, p. 179; Ela-
phidion, p. 181; Aneflus, p. 185; Crossidius, p. 196; Acmops, p. 208;
Strangalia, p. 212; Typoverus, p. 213; Leptura, p. 215; Monilema, p. 229;
Monohammzus, p. 231; Pogonocherus, p. 237 ; Saperda, p. 238.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Notes on some genera of Cerambycide of the
United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1878, pp. 41-50.
Gives tables of Pogonocherus, p. 42; Mecas, p. 44; Oberea, p. 45: Tetraopes,
p. 48; Tetrops, p. 50.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Notes on some genera of Cerambycide, with de-
scriptions of new species. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VILL,
1880, pp. 115-133.
A complete revision of the tribe Acanthoderini, p. 115; tables of Athecerus,
p. 133; Cyllene, p. 134.
CHas. W. LENG.—Synopsis of Coleoptera [Cerambycide]. <Bull.
Brookl. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1884, No. 1, p. 7, and in subsequent
numbers; continued in Entomologica Americana, Vols. I-III, and
not yet completed.
Follows the classification by Drs. Le Conte and Horn. The tables for the
determination of the species are partly reproduced from those given by
Dr. Le Conte or Dr. Horn, and partly original by Dr. Horn or by Mr.
Leng.
GrorRGE H. Horn.—Descriptions of some new Cerambycids, with
notes. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XII, 1885, pp. 173-197.
Gives tables of Oxoplus, p. 175; Stenosphenus, p. 177; Moniiema, p. 180°
Monohammus, p. 190; Goes, p. 193: Dorcaschema, p. 193: Oncideres, p.
194; Eupogonius, p. 196; Dysphaga, p. 197.
28
CHRYSOMELID &,
E. SUFFRIAN.—Monographie und kritisches Verzeichniss der nord-
amerikanischen Cryptocephaien. <Linnea Entom., Vols. VI-VIII,
185254,
W. F. RoGERS ._—Synopsis of the species of Chrysomela and allied gen-
era inhabiting the United States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol.
VIII, 1856, pp. 29-39, 1 plate.
A synopsis of the present tribe Chrysomelini.
JouNn L. LE ConTE.—On the species of Galeruca and allied genera in-
habiting North America. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1865, pp. 204—
999
a el ed
A review of Galerucini genuini.
G. hk. CRotcH.—Materials for the study of the Phytophaga of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1873, pp. 19-83.
A revision of mist of the North American genera of Chrysomelide, omitting
most of the Cryptocephalini, the Galerucini genuini and the genera Haltica
and Longitarsus.
JOHN L. LE ContTEeE.—Short studies of North American Coleoptera.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880.
Gives synoptic tables of Monachus, p. 195; Diachus, p. 196; Triachus, p.
197; Bassareus, p. 198; Cryptocephalus, p. 199; Pachybrachys, p. 204.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Miscellaneous notes and short studies of North
American Coleoptera, Chrysomelide, Hispini. <Trans. Amer.
Ent. Soc., Vol. X, 1883, pp. 290-303.
BRUCHID A.
Gro. H. Horn.—Revision of the Bruchide of the United Staies.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. IV, 1873, pp. 311-342.
TENEBRIONID At.
Gro. H. Horn.—Revision of the Tenebrionide of America, north of
Mexico. <‘Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., n. ser., Vol. XIV, 1870, pp.
253-404, 2 plates.
CISTELID A.
This family has never been monographed, and we have only tables of the
genera Hymenorus and Mycetochares, by Le Conte, in ‘‘ New Species of
North American Coleoptera” (Smithson. Misc. Contrib., etc., p. 135); and
Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., XVII, 1878, p. 616.
OTHNIID 4.
The few species of the single genus constituting this family have been tablu-
lated by Dr. Horn in Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. II, 1868, pp. 132, 133.
LAGRIID 4.
Gro. H. Horn.—Miscellaneous Coleopterous studies. <Trans. Amer.
Ent. Soc., Vol. XV., 1888.
Contains on pp. 28-32 a synopsis of the family.
ee
“——=<--*
29
MONOMMID A.
JAMES THOMSON.—Monographie de la famille des Monommides. <Ann.
Soc. Ent. France, 1860, pp. 5-38.
A monograph of the family of the whole world. The few (four) species hitherto
found in North America are tabulated by Dr. Horn in Trans. Amer. Ent.
Soc., Vol. IV, 1872, p. 150.
MELANDRYID A.
No complete synopsis has hitherto been published, and excepting a table of
Hallomenus, by Dr. Le Conte (Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XVII, 1878,
p. 619), we can oniy record the following paper: .
GEORGE H. Horn.—Notes on the Mycteride and other Heteromera.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1879, pp. 336-339.
Tabulates Mycterus and Lacconotus.
Gro. H. Horn.—Miscellaneous Coleopterous studies. <Trans. Amer.
Ent. Soc., Vol. XV., 1888.
Contains on pp. 32-44 a revised table of the tribes of Melandryidie and tables
of the genera Eustrophus, Holostrophus, Orchesia, and Hypulus.
PYTHID A.
Excepting the table of Cononotus, by Dr. Horn (Trans. Am. Ent. Soc., Vol.
II, 1868, p. 136), and a table of Pytho, by the same author (1. c. Vol. XV,
1888, p. 45), we have no synoptic papers on this family.
G8 DEMERID A.
JoHN L. LE ConTE.—Synopsis of the Gidemeride of the United States.
<Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VII, 1854, pp. 20-22.
CEPHALOID A.
The few species composing this family are tabulated by Dr. Le Conte in Mr.
E. P. Austin’s Catalogue of the Coleoptera of Mount Washington, N. H.
<Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVI, 1874, pp. 265-276.
MORDELLID A.
JOHN L. LE ContTE.—Synopsis of the Mordellidz of the United States.
<Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1862, pp. 43-51.
JOHN B. SmrirH.—A synopsis of the Mordellidz of the United States.
<Trans. Amer. Ent. Soe., Vol. X, 1882, pp. 73-100, Plates I-III.
RHIPIPHORID &.
JOHN L. LE ConrE.—Note on the species of Myodites Latr., inhabiting
the United States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1865, pp. 96-98. See
also “Short Studies of North American Coleoptera.” < Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. VIII, 1880, p. 210.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Notes on the species of Rhipiphorus of the United
States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soec., Vol. V, 1875, pp. 121-125.
ANTHICID ®.
F. DE LA FERTE-SENECTERE.—Monographie des Anthicus et genres
Voisius, Coléoptéres hétéroméres de la tribus des Trachélides.
Paris, 184s.
JoHN L. LE ConrE.—Synopsis of the Anthicites of the United States.
<Proc. Ac, Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VI, 1852, pp. 91-104.
JoHN L. Le ContTE.—Synopsis of the Pyrochroide of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VII, 1855, pp. 270-275.
The tribes Pedilini, Xylophilini, and Macratrini, formerly attached to the
Pyrochroidz, are here treated.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Synopsis of the species of Corphyra Say, of the
United States. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soe., Vol. III, 1871, pp. 278-
922
250.
For subsequent tables by Dr. Horn of the same genus see Trans. Amer. Ent.
Soe., Vol. V, 1874, p. 40, and, 1. ¢., Vol. X. 1883, pp. 305-310.
PYROCHROID®.
Joun L. Le CoNTE.—Synopsis of the Pyrochroide of the United
States. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VII, 1855, pp. 270-275.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Miscellaneous Coleopterous studies. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soe., Vol. XV, 1888.
Contains on p. 47 a table of Dendroides.
MELOID &.
‘JoHN L. Le CONTE.—Synopsis of the Meloides of the United States.
<Proe. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. VI, 1853, pp. 328-350.
GEORGE H. Horn.—Revision of the species of several genera of Me-
loidx of the United States. <Proc. Am. Philos. Soc., Vol. XIII,
1875, pp. 88-117.
Gives tables of Macro basis, p. 88; Epicauta, p. 95; Cantharis, p. 103; Pom-
phopeea, p. 115.
RHYNCHOPHORA.
C. J. Sco GNHERER.—Genera et species Curculionidum cum Synonymia
hujus familie... 8 vols., Paris, 1833~34. ;
An additional volume, Mantissa secunda familie Curculionidum, appeared
in 1847,
A monograph of the Rhynchophora (including the Bruchidz) of the whole
world but now antiquated.
C. ZDIMERMANN.—Synopsis of the Scolytidz of America, north of Mex-
ico. With Notes and an Appendix by J. L. Le Conte. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soe., Vol. IT, 1868, pp. 141-178. -
A oF -
oko Pose
= H. Horn.—The
ta “~
a : «
Brenthidz of the United States. <Trans.
‘GrorcGe H. Horn.—Contribntions to a knowledge of the Curculioni-
dz of the United States. <Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XIII,
_-:1873, pp. 407-469.
3 A revision of the Calandrid# and synopses of Otidocephalas, p. 443; Mag-
; dalis, p. 452; Balaninus, p. 457; Orchestes, p. 461; Rhyssomatus, p. 463;
Z S Z Chalcodermus, p. 465; Analeis, p. 467.
J OHN B. SmiTH.—Synopsis of the Apioninez of North America.
_ <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XI, 1874, pp. 41-68, 3 plates.
Joun L. Le Conte anp Georce H. Horn.—The Rhynchophora of
_ America, north of Mexico. <Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XV,
coe 1876.
A monograph of the North American Rhynchophora.
Frepericx Biaxcwarp.—Table of Balaninus Germ. <Bull, Brook.
Ent. Soc., Vol. VIL, 1554, pp. 106-108.
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LEPIDOPTERA.
[.—CATALOGUES AND LISTS.
J. G. MorRISs.—Catalogue of the described Lepidoptera of North Amer-
ica. Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1860.
This is the first catalogue of the North American Lepidoptera, but now greatly
antiquated and superseded.
J. W. WEIDEMEYER.— Catalogue of North American Butterflies.
<Proe. Entom. Soe. Phil., Vol. II, 1863-66, pp. 143-154 and 513-542.
Superseded by subsequent papers.
A. R. GROTE AND C. T. ROBINSON.—A synonymical catalogue of North
American Sphingid, with notes and descriptions. <Proc. Entum.
Soc. Phil., Vol. V, 1865, pp. 149-193, 3 plates.
Gives full and complete synonymy, with descriptions of several new genera
and species.
A. R. GROTE AND C. T. Ropinson.—List of the Lepidoptera of North
America. Philadelphia, Ainer. Ent. Soc., 1868.
Contains the Sphinvide, Ageriide, Thyride, Zygenide, and Bombycide.
A. R. GRoTE.—List of the Noctuide of North America. <Bull. Buffalo
Soe. Nat. Hist., Vol. II, 1874, pp. 1-77.
The only synonymical and bibliographical catalogue of the North American
Noctuide.
S. H. ScuDDER.—Synonymie list of the Butterflies of North America,
north of Mexico. PartI. Nymphales. <Bull. Buff. Soc. Nat. Hist.,
Vol. II, 1875, pp. 233-269; Part Il. Rurales. <J. ¢., Vol. THI, 1876,
pp. 98-129.
Contains a very complete synonymy, but its classification has not been adopted
by subsequent writers.
W. fF. Kirpy.—A synonymic catalogue of diurnal Lepidoptera. London,
1871; Supplement, London, 1877.
A complete synonymical list of the diurnals of the world.
B. GERHARD.—Systematisches Verzeichniss der Macrolepidopteren
von Nord-Amerika. Leipzig, 1878.
Merely a check-list and not reliable.
H. STRECKER.—Butterflies and Moths of North America. Diurnes.
Reading, Pa., 1878.
A very complete synonymical and annotated catalogue, with glossary of
terms and an introductory chapter giving directions for collecting, pre-
serving, and shipping butterflies.
22310—Bull 19 3 ; 33
34
V. T. CHAMBERS.—Index to the described Tineina of the United States
and Canada. <Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey Terr., Vol. LV, 1878, pp.
125-167.
An annotated catalogue, with descriptions of many new species.
BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL Socrery.—Check-list of the Macrolepi-
doptera of America, north of Mexico. Brooklyn, N. Y., 1882.
A. R. GRoTE.—New Check List of North American Moths. New York, |
Author, 1882.
A list of all heterocerous Macrolepidoptera ; also the Pyralidx and Tortri- ;
cide. Supersedes several previous lists by the same author.
;
|
C. H. FERNALD.—A synonymical catalogue of the described Tortricidse
of North America, north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soe., Vol.
X, 1882, pp. 1-64; also separate.
W. H. Epwarps.—Revised catalogue of the Diurnal Lepidoptera of
America north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. XI, —
1884, pp. 245-338.
This is the most recent reference and synonymic catalogue, superseding a
similar catalogue by the same author published in 1877. :
W. H. Epwarps.—List of species of the Diurnal Lepidoptera of Amer- —
ica north of Mexico. Boston, Houghton, Mifflin & Co., 1884, 4to. —
A mere list of the species, following in all respects the catalogue just cited, —
and printed to accompany Vol. II of the ‘‘ Butterflies of North America.” _
] 7
II.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
G. A.W. HERRICH-SCHAEFFER.—Sammlung neuer oder wenig bekann-
ter aussereuropiischer Schmetterlinge. Vol. I. Regensburg, 1850-
758; Vol. II, Pt. 1, 1869. |
Contains a classification of the Lepidoptera, which forms the basis of our
present arrangement.
JOHN G. MORRIS.—Synopsis of the described Lepidoptera of North
America, Part I.. Diurnal and Crepuscular Lepidoptera. Wash-
ington, Smithsonian Institution, 1862.
Compiled descriptions of the North American Lepidoptera, from the Rho-
palocera to the Bombycide.
H. StRECKER.—Lepidoptera, Rhopaloceres et Heteroceres, indigenous
and exotic; with descriptions and colored illustrations. Reading,
Pa., 187277.
Fifteen parts of this work have been published containing figures and de-
scriptions of many North American species.
JouNn B. SMItH.—An introduction to a classification of the North Amer-
ivan Lepidoptera. <Bull. Brook). Ent. Soe., Vol. VII, 1884, pp. 70-
74 and 81-83.
A synopsis of the families of Lepidoptera, based on Herrich-Schueffer’s classi-
fication.
35
III.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
Rhopalocera.
J. A. BOISDUVAL.—Histoire naturelle des Insectes. Spécies général des
Lépidoptéres. Suites 4 Buffon. Paris, 1836.
Contains full. descriptions of the known species, but extends only from Pa-
pilio to the end of Terias.
EK. DOUBLEDAY AND W. C. HEwiITson.—The genera of diurnal Lepidop-
tera, comprising their generic characters, a notice of their trans-
formations, and a catalogue of the species of each genus; illustrated,
with 86 colored plates from drawings by W. C. Hewitson. 2 vols.,
London, 184652.
This work was completed by Westwood after the death of Doubleday.
S. H. ScuppER.—Butterflies: Their structures, changes, and life-his-
tories, with special reference to American forms. Being an appli-
cation of the “ Doctrine of descent” to the study of Butterflies, with
an appendix of practical instructions. New York, Henry Holt &
Co., 1881.
CARL PLOETZ.—Die Hesperiinen-Gatting Hesperia Awt. und ihre
Arten. <Stettin. entom. Zeit., 1882, pp. 314-344, continued in
subsequent volumes.
JOHN B. SmMitH.—Synopsis of the genera of the North American Rho-
palocera. <Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc., Vol. VI, 1883, pp. 37-45.
A tabular synopsis embracing all North American genera.
C. H. FERNALD.—The Butterflies of Maine. Designed for the use of
the students in the Maine State College, and the farmers of the
State. Orono, Me., 1884.
G. H. FrencuH.—The Butterflies of the Eastern United States. For
the use of classes in Zoology and private students. Philadelphia,
Lippincott & Co., 1886.
Gives synopses of the genera and species, and descriptions of the species.
BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL SocrETy.— Synopses of Butterflies.
<Bull. Brooklyn Entom. Sve., Vol. I and subsequent volumes; con-
tinued in Entomologica Americana, Vol. I.
Synopses of the North American species of Rhopalocera, the later articles
giving tables of species and bibliography. Not yet completed.
SAMUEL H. ScUDDER.—Comparative tables for the families of Butter-
flies. <Canad. Entom. Vol. XIX, 1887, No. 11, pp. 201-206.
W. H. EpwARpDs.—Butterflies of North America. Boston, Houghton,
Mifflin & Co.
Two volumes are completed and the third is in course of publication.
4
36 '
Heterocera.
SPHINGID A.
T. W. Harris.—Descriptive Catalogue of the North American insects
belonging to the Linnean genus Sphinx, in the cabinet of Thaddeus
William Harris, M. D., librarian of Harvard University. <Amer.
Journ. Se. and Arts, Vol. XXXVI, 1839, pp. 282-320.
Includes not only the Sphingid as at present limited, but also the Zygieni-
die of Grote’s new list.
B. CLEMENS.—Synopsis of the North American Sphingides. <Journ.
Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. IV, Pt. 2, 1859, pp. 97-190.
A monograph of the family as at present'limited.
J. A. BoISspDUVAL.—Sphingides, Sesiides, Castniides. Paris, Roret 1874.
Forms part of the Suites 4 Buffon, and is Vol. I of the Spécies général des
Lépidoptéres hétéroceres,
A. G. BuTLER.—Revision of the Heterocerous Lepidoptera of the
family Sphingide. <Trans. Zool. Soc. London, Vol. IX, 1877, pp.
511-644, Pl. XC-XCIV.
A descriptive catalogue.
JOHN B. Smiru.—An introduction to a classification of the North
American Lepidoptera. Sphingide. <EHEntom. Amer., Vol. I, 1885,
pp. 81-87.
Contains a synopsis of the genera, with brief remarks on each.
C. H. FERNALD.—The Sphingide of New England. Orono, Me., 1886.
Gives the life-history, so far as known, of all species recorded from New Eng-
land.
JOHN B, SMITH.—A monograph of the Sphingide of North America,
north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. XV, 1888, Part II,
12 plates.
[This is not published but is included here because now in the printer’s
hands.—C. V. R.]
SESIID 4g.
See papers by Harris and Boisduval above cited, who treat the Sesiide asa
part of the Sphingidew, both works being antiquated so far as they relate to
the Sesiida.
JOHN B. Smrra.—An introduction to a classification of the North
American Lepidoptera. <Entom. Amer., Vol. [X., 1888, pp. 9-13.
THYRID A.
This family has also been treated by Harris and Boisduval as a part of the
Sphingide.
ZYGALNID ZA.
A. 8. PAcKARD, Jr.—Notes on the family Zygenide. <Proc. Essex
Institute, Vol. IV, 1864, pp. 7-47, Pl. I, LL.
Description of a number of new genera and species, with notes on others.
P | } 37
A. R. GRoTE.—Catalogue of the Zygenide of North America. <Bull..
Buffalo Soc. Nat. Se., Vol. I, 1873, pp. 29-36.
R. &. StrREtTcH.—Illustrations of the Zygenida and Bombycidez of
North America. San Francisco, Cal., Author, 1874.
JOHN B. Smiru.—Notes on the systematic positiou of some North
<Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc., Vol. XII,
American Lepidoptera.
1885, pp. 77-84.
Discusses the genera classed as Zygeenide in Grote’s list, and separates them
into carefully defined groups.
BOMBYCID 4.
A. 8. PACKARD, Jr.—Synopsis of the Bombycide of the United States.
<Proc. Entom. Soe. Phil., Vol. ILI, 1864, pp. 97-130 and 331-396.
A. R. GROTE.—On the North American Platypterygine. <Trans. Amer.
Ent. Soc., Vol. II, 1868, pp. 65-67.
A. R. GRoTE.—List of the North American Platypterices, Attavi, Hemi-
leucini, Ceratocampade, Lachneides, Teredines, and Hepiali, with
<Proc. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XIV, 1874, pp. 256-264.
notes.
R. H. StRETCH.—Illustrations of the Zygenide and Bombycide of
North America. San Francisco, Cal., Author, 1874.
The Lithosiidz and Arctiide are principally treated.
A. G. BUTLER.—On the Lepidoptera of the family Lithosiid, in the
collection of the British Museum. <Trans. Entom. Soc. London,
1877, pp. 325-377, Pl. VIII.
A. R. GROTE.—Table of species of Euchetes. <Canad. Entom., Vol.
XIV, 1882, pp. 196, 197.
J. S. BAILEY.—Some of the North American Cosside, with facts in
the life history of Cossus centerensis Lintner. <Bull. No. 3, 1883, U.
S. Department of Agricult., Divis. of Entomol., pp. 49-55, Pl. I, I.
H. H. Lyman.—The North American Callimorphas. <Canad. Ent. Vol.
XIX, 1887, pp. 181-191, plate.
JOHN Bb. SmitnH.—The North American species of Callimorpha, Latr.
<Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., 1887, pp. 342-353, Pl. XIII, XIV.
NOCTUID A.
A. GUENEE.—Noctuelites. Spécies général des Lépidoptéres.
a Buffon. Paris, Roret, 1852, Vols. 5-7.
Vol. VIII of the same work treats the Deltoides et Pyralites, the former group
now being attached to the Noctuide.
A. k. GROTE.—A Revision of the species of Cymatophorina found in the
United States and British America, with descriptions of new species.
<Proc. Entom. Soc. Phil., Vol. II, 1863, pp. 54-59.
Suites
i
38
A. R. GrorE.—The species of Erotyla, Spragueia, Fruva, Xanthoptera,
Exyra, and Prothymia. <Canad. Ent., Vol. XI, 1879, pp. 231-238.
A. Rh. GRoTE.—On the described North American species of Thalpo-
chares. <Canad. Entom., Vol. XII, 1880, pp. 57-59.
A. R. GRoTE.—List of North American Bombyciz of Hiibner. <Canad.
Entom., Vol. XIII, 1881, pp. 151-153.
A. Kh. GRore.—Preliminary list of the North American species of A grotis,
With descriptions. <Bull. U. S. Geol. Survey, Vol. VI, 1881, pp.
149-164,
A. R. GrorE.—North American Moths, with a preliminary catalogue
of the species of Hadena and Polia. <Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr.
Survey, Vol. VI, 1881, pp. 257-277.
A. R. GRoTE.—The North American species of Mamestra. <Canad.
Entom., Vol. XIII, 1881, pp. 126-130.
A. R, Grote.—New Noctuids, with a list of the species of Oncocnemis.
<Papilio, Vol. I, 1881, pp. 33-35.
A. R. Grotr.—New Noctuidae, with list of species of Perigrapha. <Can.
Knt., Vol. XIII, 1881, pp. 131-134.
A. R. Grore.—The North American species of Eustrotia. <Papilio,
Vol. I, 1881, pp. 10-11.
JOHN B, SmitH.—A synopsis of the North American genera of the
Noctuide. <Bull. Brooklyn Entom. Soc., Vol. IV, 1882, pp. 48-52,
and Vol. V, from May till November, 1882.
Contains a tabular synopsis of the genera, with critical notes on many of them.
JOHN B. SmirH.—Remarks on the generic characters of the Noctuide.
<Canad. Ent., Vol. XIV, 1882, pp. 65-72.
Gro. H. FRENCH.—Synopsis of the Noctuide of Ilinois. Greenville,
[lls., 1882. <Curator’s Report in the eighth Ann. Rep. of the Prin-
cipal to the Board of Trustees of the South Il. Normal University.
A. Rh. GRorE.—Notes on the genus Tripudia, and on the species of
Spragueia. <Canad. Ent., Vol. XIV, 1882, pp. 32-33.
A. R. GRoTE.—List of the species of Tripudia and Gyros. <Canad.
Entom., Vol. X1V, 1882, pp. 195-196.
A. R. GROTE.—Introduction toa study of the North American Noctuide.
<Proe. Amer, Philos. Soe., Vol. XXI, 1883, pp. 134-176.
Gives a brief review of structural characters of the family and a list of the
Species described by Grote, with descriptions of several new genera and
species,
mr \
39
A. R. GRotE.—List of Apatele belonging to the groups Acronicta and
Trizna. <Papilio, Vol. ILI, 1883, pp. 67-70.
A. R. GrotE.—Conclusion of List of American Apatelas. < Papilio,
Vol. L1I, 1883, pp. 111-117.
A.R. Grore.—On the North American Calpine to Heliothine. <Canad.
Ent., Vol. XV, 1883, pp. 72-77 and 102-110.
JOHN B. SmMitH.—Synopsis of the North American Heliothinz, <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. X, 1883, pp. 205-256, pl. VII, VIII.
A. R. GRoTE.—Remarks upon the North American Heliothine and their
recent literature. <Trans. Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. X, 1883, pp. 257-
268.
G. D. Hutst.—The genus Catocala. <Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc., Vol.
VII, 1884, pp. 13-56, Pl. I.
A complete monograph of the genus.
GEOMETRID &.
A. 8S. PACKARD, Jr.—A monograph of the Geometrid moths or Pha-
lenidze of the United States. <U.S. Geological Survey of the
Terr. Department of the Interior. F.V. Hayden, U.S. Geologist
in charge. Report, Vol. X, Washington, D. C., 1876, pp. 607, 13
plates.
This supersedes all prior works and gives a complete index to the prior litera-
ture as well as a description of every species.
PYRALIDA.
A. GUENEE.—Deltoides et Pyralites. Spécies général des Lépidopteres.
Vol. VIII, Suites 4 Buffon. Paris, Roret, 1854.
A. R. GROTE. —Preliminary studies on the North American Pyralide. |
<Bull. U.S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr., Vol. IV, 1878, pp. 669-
705.
Includes annotated list of the North American species of Botis, and provisional
list of species of Phycide.
A. Rk. GROTE.—Preliminary list of North American species of Crambus.
<Canad. Ent., Vol. X11, 1880, pp. 77-80.
TORTRICID A.
CoLEMAN T. RoBINSON.—Notes on American Tortricide. <Trans.
Amer. Ent. Soc., Vol. Il, 1869, pp. 261-288, Pls. 1 and [IV-VIII.
THOMAS, LORD WALSINGHAM.—North American Tortricide. British
Museum. Illustrations of typical specimens of Lepidoptera heter-
ocera in the collection of the British Museum. 1 vol., folio, 1879,
pp. 12+84, Pl. XVII.
40
C, H. FERNALD.—A synonymical catalogue of the described Tortricidz
of North America, north of Mexico. <Trans. Amer. Entom. Soc.
Vol. X, 1882, pp. 1-64.
TINEID A.
B. CLEMENS.—The Tineina of North America, by the late Dr. Bracken-
ridge Clemens. Being a collected edition of his writings on that
group of insects. With notes by the editor, H. T. Stainton. Lon-
don, Van Voorst, 1872, pp. 154-282.
V. T, CHAMBERS.—Index to the described Tineina of the United States
and Canada. <Bull. U.S. Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr., Vol. IV,
1878, pp. 125-167.
THOMAS, LORD WALSINGHAM.—North American Coleophore. <Trans.
Ent. Soc. London, 1882, pp. 429-442, Pl. XVII.
THomAS, LORD WALSINGHAM.--A revision of the genera Acrolophus,
Poey and Anaphora, Clem. <Trans. Entom. Soc. London, 1887,
pp. 137-1738, Pls. VII, VIII.
DIPTERA.
I.—CATALOGUES.
C. R. OSTEN SACKEN.—Catalogue of the described Diptera of North
America. Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1858. <Smith-
sonian Miscell. Collections, Vol. III.
C. R. OSTEN SACKEN.—Catalogue of the described Diptera of North
America. [Second edition.} Washington, Smithsonian Institu-
tion, 1878. <Smithsonian Miscell. Collections, 270.
This completely supersedes the first edition and contains by far more than a
synonymical reference list of the North American Diptera.
I.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
F. W. MEIGEN.—Systematische Beschreibung der bekannten euro-
paischen zweifliigeligen Insecten. 7 vols. Aachen und Hamm,
1818~38. :
Although only dealing with the European fauna and now antiquated and
superseded in many parts, this work is still the foundation of the modern
classification of Diptera.
C. R. W. WIEDEMANN.—Aussereuropiische zweifliigelige Insecten.
2 vols. Hamm, 1828-30.
A continuation of Meigen’s work, and.containing descriptions of many genera
and species belonging to the North American fauna.
J. MACQUART.—Dipteres exotiques nouveaux ou peu connus. 2 vols.
in 5 parts and 5 supplements. Paris, 1838-55.
Contains descriptions of many North American genera and species.
J. R. SCHINER.—Fauna Austriaca. Die Fliegen (Diptera). Nach der
analytischen Methode bearbeitet, mit der Characteristik simmt-
licher europiischer Gattungen, der Beschreibung aller in Deutsch-
land vorkommenden Arten und der Aufziihlung aller bisher be-
schriebenen europiischen Arten. 2 vols., Wien, 1862-64.
Although dealing with the European fauna, this work is very useful on ac-
cou nt of the analytical tables of families and genera.
H. LoEw AnD C. R. OSTEN-SACKEN.—Monographs of the Diptera of
North America. (Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections.) 4 parts.
Washington, Smithsonian Institution, 1862-72.
The several monographs will be found enumerated under the respective
families.
41
42
H. Lo—Ew.—Diptera Americ septentrionalis indigena. 2 parts. Ber-
lin, 1861-72. (Originally published in 10 centuriz in the Berliner
Entomol. Zeitschrift.)
Descriptions of 1,000 North American Diptera, but without synoptic arrange-
ment.
C. R. OsTEN-SACKEN.—Western Diptera: Descriptions of new genera
and species of Diptera from the region west of the Mississippi and
especially from California. <Bull. U. 8. Geol. and Geogr. Survey
of the Territories, Vol. III, 1877, pp. 189-354.
F. BRAUER.—Die Zweifliigler des Kaiserlichen Museums zu Wien.
I-III. Wien, 1880-83.
Important contributions to the classification of the Diptera.
III.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
CECIDOMYID 4s.
J. WINNERTZ.—Beitrag zu einer Monographie der Gallmiicken.
<Linnea Entomologica, Vol. VIII, 1853, 4 plates.
R. OSTEN SACKEN.—On the North American Cecidomyide. <Mono-
graphs of the Diptera of North America, by H. Loew and Osten
Sacken, Part I, No. 5, 1862, pp. 173-205.
B. D. WALsH.—On the insects, Coleopterous, Hymenopterous, and
Dipterous, inhabiting the galls of certain species of Willow. Dip-
tera. <Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil., Vol. III, 1864, pp. 543-644; Vol.
VI, 1866, pp. 223-229.
J. VON BERGENSTAMM AND PAuL LokEw.—Synopsis Cecidomyidarum.
<Verh. k. k. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, Vol. XX VI, 1876, pp. 1-104.
A synopsis of all the literature of the family.
MYCETOPHILID A.
J. WINNERTZ.—Beitrag zu einer Monographie der Pilzmiicken.
<Verh. k. k. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, 1863, pp. 637-694.
Useful for determination of genera; no American species are described.
J. WINNER?TZ.—Beitrag zu einer Monographie der Sciarinen. <Verh.
k. k. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, 1867.
BLEPHAROCERID &.
H, Lorw.—Revision der Blepharoceride. <Schles. Zeitschr. f. Entom.,
neue Folge, Heft VI, Breslau, 1877.
TIPULIDA.
C. R. OSTEN SACKEN.—New genera and species of North American
Tipulidz with short palpi, with an attempt at a new classification
of the tribe. With two plates. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., 1859,
pp. 197-256.
—)
43
R. OstEN SACKEN.—On the North American Tipulide (Part First).
<Monographs of the Diptera of North America, Part IV, 1869.
A monograph of the North American Tipulide brevipalpi and the sections
Cylindrotomina and Ptychopterina.
C. R. OSTEN SACKEN.—Studies on Tipulide. Part I. Review of the
published genera of the Tipulidz longipalpi. <Berliner entomol.
Zeitschr. Vol. XXX, 1886, pp. 153-188.
XYLOPHAGID 4.
Fr. BRAUER.—Versuch einer Characteristik der Gattungen der Nota-
canthen (Ltr.), mit Riicksicht auf die im Kaiserlichen Museum be-
findlichen von Dr. J. R. Schiner aufgestellten neuen Gattungen.
<Die Zweifliigler des Kais. Museums zu Wien, Vol. II, 1882, pp.
3-35.
The Notacantha Latreille comprise the families Xylophagide and Stratio-
myide.
S. W. WILLISTON.—On the classification of North American Diptera.
(Third paper.) <Entomolog. Amer., Vol. I, 1885, pp. 114-116.
Tables for distinguishing the families Stratiomyide and Xylophagide and
oscillant genera; table of the genera of Xylophagide.
STRATIOMYIDA.
S. W. WILLISTON.—On the classification of North American Diptera
(Third paper.) <Entomolog. Amer., Vol. I, 1885, pp. 114-116 and.
152-155.
Tables of the subfamilies and genera of the family.
TABANID At.
C,. R. OSTEN SACKEN.—Prodrome of a monograph of the Tabanide of
the United States. <Memoirs of the Boston Soe. of Nat. Hist., Vol.
II, 1875-78.
Part I. The genera Pangonia, Chrysops, Silvius, Hemotopota, Diabasis (1. ¢.,
pp. 365-397). Part II. The genus Tabanus, with an Appendix and Index
(1. c., pp. 421-479). Supplement (J. ¢., pp. 555-560).
S. W. WILLISToN.—On the classification of North American Diptera.
(Second paper.) <Entomol. Amer., Vol. I, 1885, pp. 10-13.
Contains a synopsis of the genera of Tabanidex, pp. 10-11.
LEPTIDA.
S. W. WILLISTON.— On the classification of North American Diptera.
(Second paper.) <Hntomol. Amer., Vol. I, 1885, pp. 10-13.
Table of the genera of North American Leptide.
ASILID A.
C. R. OSTEN SACKEN.— Western Diptera, etc. <Bull. U. S. Geol. and
Geogr. Survey of the Territories, Vol. III, No. 2, 1877.
Synoptical and analytical table of the Western species of Cyrtopogon, pp. 294-
309.
+i
S. W. WriLListon.—On the North American Asilidze (Dasypogonine,
Laphrine), with a new genus of Syrphide. <Trans. Amer. Ent.
Soc., Vol. XI, 1883, pp. 1-35, Pl. I, I.
Tabulates the genera of the subfamilies Dasypogonine and Laphrine, with
euumeration of the species.
S. W. W1LLIStToN.—On the North American Asilide (Part II). <Trans.
Aimer, Ent. Soe., Vol. XII, 1885, pp. 53-76.
Tabulates the species of Laphria and revises the genera and species of the
subfamily Asilinw, excepting the genus Asilus.
MIDAID Ai.
A. GERSTAECKER. — Systematische Uebersicht der bis jetzt bekannt
gewordenen Mydaiden. <Stettiner ent. Zeit., 1868, p. 65.
NEMESTRINID &.
S. W. WILLISTON.—The North American species of Nemestrinide.
>Canad. Entom., Vol. XV, 1883, p. 69-72.
BOMBYLIIDZE.
©. R. OSTEN SACKEN.—Western Diptera, ete. <Bull. U. 8S. Geolog.
and Geog. Survey of the Territories, Vol. III, No. 2, 1877.
Analytical table of the North American genera of Bombyliide, p. 228; Tables
of the species of Exoprosopa, p. 230; Anthrax, p. 238; Argyrameeba, p.
241; Bombylins (species from the Atlantic States), p. 247; Ploas (Califor-
nian species), p. 260; Toxophora, p. 265; Epibates, p. 268.
D. W. CoQuILLETT.—Monograph of the Lomatina of North America.
<Caunad. Entom., Vol. X VIII, 1886, pp. 81-87.
The Lomatina comprise the genera Eucessia, Leptochilus, Aphcebantus, and
Oncodocera.
D. W. CoguiILLETt.—The North American genera of Anthracina.
<Canad. Entom., Vol. XVIII, 1886, pp. 157-159.
A tabular arrangement of the genera composing the subfamily Anthracina.
D. W. CoguILLETT.—Monograph of the species belonging to the genus
Anthrax from America, north of Mexico. <Trans. Am. Ent. Soc.,
Vol. XIV, 1887, No. 2, pp. 159-182.
DOLICHOPODID Ai.
H. Lozkw.—On the North American Dolichopodide. <Monographs of
the Diptera of North America. Part L, 1864.
SYRPHID A.
S. W. WILLISTON.—Contribution to a monograph of the North Ameri-
can Syrphide. <Proe. Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XX, 1882, pp. 299-
332.
S. W. WILLISTON.—On the classification of North American Diptera.
(First paper.) <Bull. Brookl. Ent. Soc., Vol. VII, 1885, pp. 129-
139.
A synopsis of the subfamilies and genera of Syrphide.
45
S. W. WILLISTON.—Synopsis of the North American Syrphide.
<Bull. U. S. National Museum, No. 31, 1886.
This work supersedes the previous ae MiGasions on this family.
CONOPIDA.
S. W. WILLISTON.—The North American species of Conops. <Trans.
Conn. Acad., Vol. IV, 1882, pp. 325-342.
S. W. WILLISTON.—North American Conopide: Stylogaster, Dalman-
nia, Oncomyia. <Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. VI, 1883, pp. 5-12.
A revision of the three genera mentioned.
(STRID A.
FRIEDRICH BRAUER.—Monographie der Oestriden. Wien, 1863.
Four supplements, by the same author, are published in Wiener Entom. Zeit.,
Vol. V, 1886, p. 289, tab. IV., Vol VI, 1887, p. 4, p. 71 and 217.
TACHINID A.
S. W. WILLISTON.—North American Tachinide. Gonia. <Canad.
Entom., Vol. XIX, 1887, pp. 6-12.
A revision of the species of Gonia.
SARCOPHAGID 4.
H. A. HacEn.—List of North American Sarcophagide, examined by
R. H. Meade, esq., Bradford, England. <Canad. Entom., 1881,
Vol. XUI, pp. 146-150.
ANTHOMYID 4.
R. H. MEADE.—On the arrangement of the British Anthomyide. <Hn-
tomol. Month. Mag., Vol. XI, 1875.
Contains an analytical table of the genera.
H. A. HAGEN.—List of North American Anthomyide, examined by R.
M. Meade, esq., Bradford, England. <Canad. Entomol., Vol. XIII,
1881, pp. 43-51.
SCIOMYZID A.
H. Lo—w.—On the North American Sciomyzide. <Monographs of
the Diptera of North America, Part I, i862, pp. 103-128.
ORTALID &.
H. LokEw.—The family Ortalide. <Monographs of the pee of
North America, Part II, 1873, pp. 1-209.
TRYPETID A.
H. Lo—Ew.—On the North American Trypetide. <Monographs of the
Diptera of North America, Part I, 1862, pp. 49-102.
46
H. Lorw.—Review of the North American Trypetina. <Monographs
of the Diptera of North America, Part III, 1873, pp. 211-347.
EPHYDRID Ai.
H. LoEw.—On the North American Ephydrinids. <Monographs of
the Diptera of North America, Part I, 1862, pp. 129-172.
PULICIDAL.
O. TASCHENBERG.—Die Fléhe. Die Arten der Insektenordnung Sue-
toria nach ihrem Chitinskelet monographisch dargestelit. Halle,
18380.
P, MEGNIN.—Les parasites et les maladies parasitaires chez Vhomme,
les animaux domestiques et les animaux Sauvages avec lesquels ils
peuvent tre en contact. Insectes, Arachnides, Crustacés. Paris,
1880.
The Pulicide (Aphaniptires) are treated of on pp. 57-71.
We on.
HEMIPTERA.
Heteroptera.
I—CATALOGUES AND CHECK-LISTS.
F. A. DoHRN.—Catalogus Hemipterorum. Stettin, 1859.
Puitie R. UALER.—Check-List of the Hemiptera Heteroptera of North
America. Published by the Brooklyn Entom. Soc., 1886.
IL.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
C. W. HAHN UND G. A. W. HERRICH-SCHAEFFER.-—Die wanzenartigen
Insecten. 10 vols. Nuernberg , 183153.
OC. J. B. AMyor ET J. G. AUDINET-SERVILLE.—-Hémiptéres. Suites
a Buffon. Histoire Naturelle des Insectes. Paris, 1843.
C. SraL.—Analecta hemipterologica. Berlin, 1866~69. 3 parts. Orig-
inally published in the Berlin. entom. Zeitschr.
C. STAL.—Bidrage till Hemipterernas Systematik. Stockholm, 1867.
C. SrAu.—Hemiptera Fabriciana, secundum exempla Musei Hafniensis
et Kieliensis descripta. 2 parts. Stockholm, 1868-69.
J.G. SCHIOEDTE.—Einige neue Hauptsiitze der Morphologie und Syste-
matik der Rhynchoten. <Naturh. Tidskr., 1869, p. 237ff.
P. R. UHLER.—List of Hemiptera of the region west of the Mississippi
River, including those collected during the Hayden explorations of
1873. <Bull. U. S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey of the Terr., Vol. I,
1875, pp. 267-361, Pl. XIX-—XXI.
P. R. UHLER.—Report upon the insects collected by P. Rk. Uhler during
the exploration of 1875, including monographs of the families
Cynidz and Saldz, and the Hemiptera collected by A. S. Pack.
ardj, jr.. M. D. <U. 8S. Geolog. and Geogr. Survey, Bulletin, Vol.
III, No. 2, 1877, pp. 355-475.
C. Srau.—-Enumeratio Hemipterorum. Bidrag till en férteckning 6fver
alla hitills kinda Hemiptera (or: Index specierum omnium hucusque
cognitarum cum observationibus systematicis). <Kongl. Svensk.
Vet.-Akad. Handl., 1870~77, 5 parts.
47
48
HERBERT OSBORN.--Classification of Hemiptera. <Entomologica
Amer., Vol. I, 1885, pp. 21-27.
Short characterization of the whole order, with tables of suborders and
families. ;
IIT.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
Heteroptera.
SCUTELLERID 2.
BH. F. GERMAR.—Beitrige zu einer Monographie der Schildwanzen.
Germar’s Zeitschr. f. Entomol., Vol. I, 1839, pp. 1-146.
Now greatly antiquated; treats of the Scutellerids and Co1ymelenide.
CYDNID &.
P. R. UHLER.—Summary of the Cydnide of North America in report
upon the Insects collected by P. R. Uhler, ete. .< Bulletin. U.S.
Geolog. Survey, Vol. III, 1877, pp. 366-396.
V. SIGNORET.—Ré€vision du groupe des Cydnides de la famille des
Pentatomides. <Annales de la Société Entomol. de France, 1881,
and subsequent volumes to 1884.
A monograph ofthe Cydnidz of the whole world.
COREID 2.
©. SraL.—Synopsis et genera Coreidum. Stockholm, 1860~72.
CAPSID#.
O. M. REUTER.—Revisio critica Capsinarum, precipue Scandinavie et
Fennie. 2 parts. Helsingfors, 1875.
O. M. REUTER.—Capsine ex America boreali in Museo Holmiensi
asservate. Stockholm, 1875.
ACANTHIID Ai.
O. M. REUTER.—Acanthiide Americane. Stockholm, 1871.
O. M. REUTER.—Monagraphia Anthocoridarum orbis terrestris. <Act.
Soc. Fenn., Vol. XIV, 1886, pp. 555-758.
REDUVIID A.
©. Srau.—Monographie der Gattung Conorhinus und Verwandten.
Berliner entomog. Zeitschr., Vol. III, 1859, pp. 312-328.
©. STAL.—Symbola ad Monographiam Reduviidum, 3 parts. Stock-
holm, 186072.
©. STAL.—Bidrag till Reduviidernas kiinnedomen. Stockholm, 1866.
:
P
49
EMESID&.
F, A. DoHRN.—Beitriige zu einer monographischen Bearbeitung der
Familie der Emesina, <Linnzea Entomol., Vol. XLV, 1860, pp. 206-
a00, Table I.
SALDID 4.
P. R. UHLER.—Family Salde. (Report upon the insects collected by
P. R. Uhler during the explorations of 1875.) <Bull. U.S. Geol.
and Geogr. Survey, Vol. III, No. 2, 1877, pp. 429-452.
BELOSTOMID &.
JOSEPH LEIDY.—History and Anatomy of the Hemipterous genus
Belostoma. <Journ. Ac. Se. Phil., Ser. 2, Vol. I, 1847, pp. 57-67,
Table 1.
Lron DuFouUR.—Essai monographique sur les Bélostomides. <Ann.
Soe. Entom. de France, 1863, pp. 373-400.
G. MAyr.—Hemipterologische Studien. Die Belostomiden. <Verh.
k. k. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, 1863-’71,
G. MAyr.—Die Belostomiden. Monographisch bearbeitet. <Verh.
k. k. zool.-bot., Ges. in Wien, 1871, pp. 399-440.
NOTONECTID &.
FP. X. FIEBER.—RKhynchotographien, drei monographische Abhandlun-
gen. Sciocoride, Oxycarenus, Notonecte. <Abhandl. kén. béhm.
Ges. Wiss. Prag, Ser. 5, Vol. VII, 1851, pp. 425-488.
CORISID Ai.
F. X. FIEBER.—Species generis Corisa monographice disposit.
<Abhandl. kén. béhm. Ges. d. Wiss. Prag, Ser. 5, Vol. VII, 1852,
pp- 215-260.
GALGULID &.
F, X. FIEBER.—Genera Hydrocoridum secundum ordinem naturalem
in familias disposita. <Abh. kén. béhm. Ges. Wiss., Vol. VII,
1852, pp. 181-212, 4 pl.
Homoptera.
TOWNEND GLOVER.—Report of the Entomologist. <Report of the
Commissioner of Agriculture for the year 1877, pp. 17-46.
A popular treatise on the subject, with illustrations.
FRANCIS P. PASCoE.—Note on the Classification of the Homoptera.
<Ann. and mag. Nat. Hist., Vol. LX, 1882, pp. 424, 425.
22310—Bull 19——4
50
CICADID.A.
CHARLES WILLIAM WooDWORTH.—Synopsis of North American Cieca-
didz. <Tsyche, Vol. V, 1888, pp. 67-68.
JASSID@ (including the Tettigoniide).
V. SIGNORET.—Revue iconographique des Tettigonides. <Ann. Soe.
Entom. de France, 185355, with colored plates.
V. SIGNORET.—Essai sur les Jassides Stal, Fieb. et plus particuliére-
ment sur les Acocéphalides Puton. <Ann. Soc. Entom. France,
187980.
BK. TASCHENBERG.—Zur Kenntniss der Cicadellinen-Gattung Tettigonia
Geoff. <Zeitschr. fiir Naturw., Vol. V, 1884.
CHARLES W. WoopwortH —Jassidie of Illinois. Part I. <Bulletin
Ill. State Labor. Nat. Hist., Vol. ILI, Art. II, 1887.
CERCOPID &.
VY. SIGNORET.—Revue critique du groupe des Tettigonides et de la tribu
des Cercopides. <Revue et Mag. de Zool., Vol. V, 1853, pp. 173-184.
FULGORIDA.
J.O. WESTWooD.—On the family Fulgoride, with a monograph of the
genus Fulgora of Linneus. <Trans. Linn. Soe. London, Vol.
XVIII, 1839, pp. 1383-238, 1 pl.
©. STAL.—Die amerikanischen Fulgoriden-Gattungen synoptisch be-
schrieben. <Stettiner entomol. Zeit., Vol. XX XI, 1870, pp. 255-
58.
bo
MEMBRACID A.
C. SrAu.—Bidrag till Membracideruas Kiinnedom. <Oefvers. af
Kongl. Vet.-Akad. Férhandl., 1869.
PSYLLID ZA.
FRANZ LOw.—Zur Systematik der Psylloden. <Verh. d. k.k. zool.
bot. Ges. in Wien, Jahrgany 1878, pp. 585-610.
Characteristics and tables of the European subfamilies and genera. Super-
sedes all previous classifications.
Wm. H. ASHMEAD.—On the Aphidide of Florida, with descriptions of
new species. Family Psyllide. <Canad. Entom., Vol. XIII, 1881,
pp. 220-225.
Gives a list of the North American species, with descriptions of several new
ones,
C. V. RinEy.—Notes on North American Psyllide. <Proe. Biolog.
Soc. of Washington, Vol. II, 1884, pp. 67-79.
A classified list of the North American Psyllide hithereto described, with short
characteristics of the subfamilies, and descriptions of some new genera
and species,
eT a —
ee
51
APHIDID A.
Beng. D. WALSH.—On the genera of Aphid found in the United
States. <Proc. Ent. Soc. Phil., Vol. 1, 186163, pp. 294-310.
Cyrus THOMAS.—Notes of the Plaut-lice found in the United States.
<Trans. Ill. Hortic. Soc., 1877, pp. 137-212.
A review of the family, including the Psyllidw ; reproduces tke descriptions
of earlier authors, and adds descriptions of new species.
Cyrus THOMAS.—A list of the species of the tribe Aphidini, family
Aphid, found in the United States, which have been heretofore
named, with descriptions of some new species. <lIllinois State
Laboratory of Nat. History, Bulletin No. 2, 1878, pp. 3-16.
Cu. V. RILEY AND J. MONELL.—Notes on the Aphidide of the United
States, with descriptions of species occurring West of the Missis-
sippi. <Bull. U.S. Geol. and Geogr. Survey of the Terr., Vol. V,
No. 1, 1879, pp. 1-32, 2 pl.
Riley gives the biology and description of several Pemphiginz ; Monell, de-
scriptions, with occasional tables, of a number of Aphidinz.
Cyrus THOMAS.—Eighth Report of the State Entomologist on the
noxious and beneficial insects of the State of Illinois. Third Annual
Report, by Cyrus Thomas, Springfield, 1879.
The report treats wholly on the Aphididz of the United States and is an en-
largement of the author’s paper in the Trans. Ill. Hortic. Soc., 1877.
Go. B. BuckToN.—Monograph of the British Aphides. 4 vols. Ray
Society, London, 1875-83.
This is the latest European work on this family, containing tables for the de-
termination of the genera.
O. W. OESTLUND.—Synopsis of the Aphididze of Minnesota. <Bull.
No. 4 Geol. and Nat. Hist. Survey of Minn., Saint Paul, 1887.
COCCID #.
V. SIGNORET.—Essai sur les Cochenilles. <Ann. Soc. Ent. de France,
1868-76.
J. H. ComstTock.—-Report on Scale Insects. <Annual Report of the
Commissioner of Agriculture for the year 1880, Washington, 1881,
pp. 276-349, plates.
J. H. Comstock.—Second Report on Scale Insects, including a mono-
graph of the sub-family Diaspine of the family Coccide and alist,
with notes, of the other species of Scale Insects found in North
America. <Second Report of the Cornell University Experiment
Station, 188283, Ithaca, N. Y., 1883, pp. 47-143, Plates I-IV.
52
PEDICULID.
H. DENNY.—Monographia Anoplurorum Britannie, or an essay on the
British species of parasitic insects. London, 1842, 26 plates.
C. G. A. GIEBEL.—Insecta epizoa. Die auf Saiigethieren und Végeln
schmarotzenden Insekten. Nach Zeichnungen von C. L. Nitzsch.
Leipzig, 1874, 20 plates.
ANDREW MuturraAy.—Economic Entomology. Aptera. South Ken-
sington Museum Science Handbooks. London and New York, 1877.
The Pediculide are treated on pp. 384—400.
P. MEGNIN.—Les Parasites et les maladies parasitaires chez Phomme,
les animaux domestiques et les animaux sauvages avec lesquels ils
peuvent étre en contact. Insectes, Arachnides, Crustacés. Paris,
1880.
The Pediculide are treated on pp. 72-79.
E. P1aAcGer.—Les Pediculines. Description de toutes les espéces ob- -
servées, enrichie d’espéces nouvelles. Leide, 1880, 56 plates ; Sup-
plement, 1885, 17 plates.
i.
ORTHOPTERA.
I.—CATALOGUES.
SAMUEL H. ScuDDER.—A catalogue of the Orthoptera of North Amer-
ica described previous to 1867. Smithsonian Institution. Miscella-
neous Collections 189, 1868.
An alphabetical, not synonymical, list of the Orthoptera described from
North America; contains also a full bibliography up to 1867.
J. SIDNEY SmitH.—Orthoptera of the State of Maine. <Proc. Port-
land Soe. Nat. Hist., 1868, pp. 143-151.
A synonymical catalogue of the Orthoptera found in Maine, with notes on
habits and distribution of the species.
Cyrus THomMAS.—A list of the Ort hoptera of Illinois. <Bull. Ills
Mus. Nat. Hist., No. 1, 1876, pp. 59-69.
A synonyiical list of the Orthoptera found in Illinois.
II.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
J. G. AUDINET-SERVILLE.— Histoire naturelle des Insectes Orthop-
teres. Paris, 1839, 776 pp., 14 plates.
Natural history of the order up to date, with bibliography and list of species
described.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Orthoptera nova Americana (Diagnoses pre-
liminares). Series I-III. <Revue et Mag. de Zool., 1859—61.
Contains synoptical tables of species, besides descriptions of numerous North
American Orthoptera.
SAMUEL H. ScuDDER.—Materials for a monograph of the North Ameri-
can Orthoptera. <Boston Journal of Nat. Hist., Vol. VII, 1862,
pp. 409-480.
Contains synoptical tables and a review of the system used for classification.
SAMUEL H. ScUDDER.—Remarks upon the arrangement of the families
of Orthoptera. <Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XII, 1863869;
also separate under the title: Entomological Notes, Vol. II, pp. 7-14.
SAMUEL H. SCUDDER.—Synoptical tables for determining North Ameri-
can insects. Orthoptera. <Psyche, Vol. I, 1876, pp. 169-171.
Synopsis of the families of Orthoptera; also a list of useful works in the study
of North American Orthoptera.
53
54
II..—SYNOPSES OF FAMILIES OR SUBFAMILIES. =
PHYSAPODA (THRIPID 4).
A. H. HAurpay.—An Epitome of the British genera in the Order
Thysanoptera, with indications of a few of the species. <Ento- !
mol. Mag., Vol. III, 1836, pp. 439-451.
FRANCIS WALKER.—List of specimens of Homopterous Insects in the
collection of the British Museum. 5 vols. and 1 vol. Supplement.
London, 1850-758.
The Physapoda, compiled from Haliday’s manuscripts are treated in the sup-
plement.
These are the only classificatory papers on this family. No systematic paper
on the North American Physapods has hitherto been published, and only
a few species are described by various authors.
FORFICULID Ai.
H. DouRn.—Versuch einer Monographie der Dermapteren. <Stet-
tiner entomol. Zeit., Vols. XX{V-XXVI, 1863-65.
A monograph of the Forficulidz of the whole world.
SAMUEL H. ScuppER.—Synoptical tables for determining North Amer-
ican insects. Orthoptera. U.S. Forficularie. <Pysche, Vol. I,
£876, pp. 177, 178.
Tabulates thirteen species and gives a list of books useful for the study of
the family.
SAMUEL H. ScuppER.—Brief Synopsis of North American Earwigs,
with an appendix on the fossil species. <Bull. U. 8. Geol. and ;
Geogr. Surv. Terr., Vol. II, No. 3, 1876, pp. 249-260.
SAMUEL H. ScuDDER.—Critical and historical notes on Forficularie,
including descriptions of new generic forms and an alphabetical
synonymic list of the described species. <Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat.
Hist. July—Oct., 1876, Vol. XVIII, pp. 287-332.
BLATTID A.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Orthoptera nova Americana (Diagnoses pre-
liminares). Ser. III. <Revue et Mag. de Zool., 1862.
Contains descriptions of new Blattid, with synoptical arrangement.
©. BRUNNER VON WATTENWYL.—Nouveau systéme des Blattaires.
Vienna, 1865, 426 pp., 13 plates.
Synoptical arrangement of all described species, with descriptions of many
new ones; also bibliography on the family.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Mélanges Orthoptérologiques. 6 fascicules. ?
Geneve, 1863-’78.
Fascicule II contains the Blattide.
©. SrAL.—Recherches sur le systéme des Blattaires. Stockholm, 1874.
55
PHASMID &.
GEORGE R. GRAY.—Synopsis of the species of insects belonging to
the family of Phasmide. London, 1835.
J.O. WESTWOOD.—A catalogue of the Jrthopterous insects in the
British Museum. Part I. Phasmide. London, 1859.
C. Srau.—Recensio Orthopterorum. Revue critique des Orthoptéres
décrits par Linné, De Geeret Thunberg. Part3. Stockholm, 1875.
Synoptical tables of the genera of Phasmide, with notes on many species.
MANTID A.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Hssai @’un systéme des Mantides. <Mittheil.
d. schweiz. ent. Ges., Vol. ILI, 1869, pp. 49-73.
Classification of the Mantide. Part 2 contains descriptions of North Ameri-
can species.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Additions au systeme des Mantides. Genéve,
ike Ole
. Synoptic table of genera and species of North American Mantide.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Mantides américains. Genéve, 1871, 186 pp.,
2 pl.
A synopsis of the North American species.
©. SrAu.—Recherches sur le systéme des Mantides. Stockholm, 1873.
GRYLLID ZA.
SAMUEL H. ScUDDER.—Revision of the large, stylated, fossorial crick-
ets. <Memoirs of the Peabody Academy of Sciences, Vol. I, No.
1, 1869.
Descriptions of the species of Scapteriscus and Gryllotalpa.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.— Mélanges Orthoptérologiques. Gryllides. Two
parts. Geneve, 1877—78.
A monograph of the family, containing synoptical tables of the genera and
species.
LOCUSTID A.
C. SrAL.—Recensio orthopterorum. Revue critique des orthopteres
décrits par Linné, De Geer et Thunberg. (Part 2.) Stockholm, 1874.
Contains synoptical tables of the genera.
C. BRUNNER VON WATTENWYL.—Monographie der Phaneropteriden.
Wien, 1878, 402 pp., 8 pl.
A synoptical monograph of the Katydids of the world, with full bibliography
and full synonymy of the species.
Ignacio BoLivaAr.—Arthropodos del Viage al Pacifico, veriticado de
1862-1865 por una comision de naturalistas enviada por el Go-
bierno Espanol. Insectes neuropteros y ortopteros. Madrid, 1884,
114 pp., 3 pl.
Contains a synoptical table of the genus Conocephalus, with descriptions of
new species.
56
AORIDID&.
©. SrAL.—Recensio Orthopterorum. Revue critique des Orthopteres
décrits par Linné, De Geer et Thunberg. Part1. Acridide, Stock-
holm, 1873.
A synoptical arrangement of the genera of the family, with descriptions of
new genera and species.
Oyrus THOoMAS.—Synopsis of North American Acridide. <Report U.
S. Geol. Survey, Vol. V, Part 1, 1873.
A systematical arrangement of the described species of North American
locusts: Part 1. Species of the United States; Part 2. Species from
other parts of North America.
SAMUEL H. ScupDDER.—Spharagemon, a genus of Gidipodide; with
a revision of the species. <Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII,
1875, pp. 467-471. Separate, under the title: Entomol. Notes, IV,
pp. 66-70.
A synopsis of the genus, with descriptions of new species.
SAMUEL H. ScupDER.—A revision of two American genera of Cidi-
podidz. <Proc. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, 1875, pp. 478-
485. Separate, under the title: Entomol. Notes, Vol. IV, pp. 77-84.
A synopsis of the genera Encoptolophus and Tragocephala.
Cyrus THomAS.—Manual of economic entomology. Part IlJ. The Acri-
didz of Illinois. <Ninth Report of the State Entomologist...
of the State of [llinois, 1880, pp. 73-140.
Contains a synoptical table or key to the families of Orthoptera, a key to the
subfamilies and genera, and a key to the Illinois species of Acridide.
LAWRENCE BRUNER.—North American Acridide, north of Mexico.
<Third Report U. 8. Entomolog. Commission, 1883, pp. 55-61.
A systematical list of the species described from North America.
HENRI DE SAUSSURE.—Prodromus Gidipodiorum Insectorum ex ordine
Orthopterorum. Geneve, 1884, 4to, 254 pp.
A synoptical monograph of the subfamily Gdipodine of all countries, with
descriptions of new species.
NEUROPTERA (INCLUDING PSEUDONEUROPTERA).
I.— CATALOG UES.
No catalogue of the North American Neuroptera—not even a partial one-—has
ever been published.
II.—GENERAL WORKS ON CLASSIFICATION.
HERMANN BURMEISTER.—Handbuch der Entomologie. Berlin, 1832-
735.
The Neuroptera are treated in Vol. II, Part I.
P. RAMBUR.—Histoire naturelle des Neuroptéres. Suites a4 Buffon.
Paris, 1842.
HERMANN HAGEN.—Synopsis of the Neuroptera of North America, with
a list of the South American species. Prepared for the Smithsonian
Institution. Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections, Washington,
1861.
IIT.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
TERMITID A.
H. A. HAGEN.—Monographie der Termiten. <Linnza entomol., Vols.
X, XII, and XIV, 1855-60.
EMBIID A.
H. A. HAGEN.—Monograph of the Embidina. <Canadian Entomol.
Vol. XVII, 1885.
Only one species of this family has hitherto been found in the United States.
PSOCID Ai.
H, A. HAGEN.—Beitriige zur Monographie der Psociden. <Stettiner
entomol. Zeit., Vols. XLIIL and XLIV, 1882~83.
PERLID Ai.
F, J. PIOTET.—Histoire naturelle générale et particuliére des insectes
Neuroptéres. Premiére monographie: Famille des _ Perlides.
Geneve, 1841~42.
EPHEMERID &.
F, J. PictET.—Histoire naturelle générale et particuliére des insectes
Neuroptéres. Seconde monographie: Famille des Ephémérines.
Genéve, 1843-45,
57
58
Bens. D. WALSH.—List of the Pseudoneuroptera of Illinois contained
in the cabinet of the writer, with descriptions of over forty new
species, and notes on their structural affinities. <Proc. Ac. Nat.
Se. Philadelphia, 1862, pp. 361-402.
This paper contains, on pp. 367, 368, a table of the genera of Ephemeride. |
BENJ. D. WALSH.—Observations on certain North American Neurop-
tera, by H. Hagen, M. D., of Koenigsberg, Prussia; translated
from the original French MS., and published by permission of the
author, with notes and descriptions of about twenty new North
American species of Pseudoneuroptera. <Proc. Entom. Soe.
Phila., Vol. Il, 1863-64, pp. 167-272.
Contains a modification of the table of genera of Ephemerida, pp. 195, 196;
a table of the subgenera of Gomphus, p. 253; and a ‘‘Synoptical table of
the subfamilies of the family Odonata,” pp. 259, 260.
A. E. Earon.—A monograph on the Ephemeride. Part 1. The
nomenclature of the Ephemeride. <Trans. Entom. Soc. London,
1871, pp. 1-164, 6 pl.
A. E. Eaton.—A Revisional Monograph of recent Ephemeride} or
Mayflies. <Trans. Linn. Soc. London, 1883-86.
Four parts have hitherto been published.
ODONATA.
E. DE SELYS LoNGcHAMPS ET H. HAGEN.—Monographie des Calop-
térygines. Bruxelles, 1854.
EK. DE SELYS LONGCHAMPS ET H. HAGEN.—Monographie des Gom-
phines. Bruxelles, 1858.
=
E. DE SELYS LONGCHAMPS.—Synopsis des Agrionines. 6 parts.
Bruxelles, 1860-65.
E. DE SELYS LonGcHAMpPs.—Synopsis des Cordulines. Bruxelles,
1871.
H. A. HAGEN.—-Synopsis of the Odonata of America. <Proc. Boston
Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. X VIII, 1875, pp. 20-96.
Omitting the subfamily Agrionina.
HEMEROBID 4.
G. TH. SCHNEIDER.—Symbola ad monographiam generis Chrysopxe
Leach. Vratislavie, 1851.
H. A. HAGEN.—Hemerobidarum synopsis synonymica. <Stettiner
entomol. Zeit., 1866, pp. 369-462.
H. A. HAGEN.—Monograph of the Hemerobide. <Part I, Proc. Bos-
ton Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. X XIII, 1886, pp. 250-269; Pt. II, l. ¢., pp.
276-292.
Apparently not yet completed.
59
PANORPID &.
J.O. WESTWOOD.—Monograph of the genus Panorpa. <“rans. Entom.
Soc, London, Vol. IV, p.1.
PHRYGANID A.
R. McLACHLAN.—Notes on North American Phryganide, with especial
reference to those contained in the collection of the British Museum.
<Entom. Annual for 1863, pp. 155-163.
Contains a list of North American Phryganids.
H. A. HAGEN.—Phryganidarum Synopsis synonymica. <Verh. k. k.
zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, Voi. XIV, 1864, pp. 799-890.
H. A. HAGEN.—Beitriige zur Kenntniss der Phryganiden. <Verh. k.
k. zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, Vol. XXIII, 1873, pp. 377-452.
H. A. HAGEN.—[On the Phryganide.| <Proc. Boston Soe. Nat. Hist.,
Vol. XV, 1873, pp. 384, 385.
A list of the North American species.
A. E. EAton.—On the Hydroptilide, a family of the Trichoptera
<Trans. Entom. Soc. London, 1873, pp. 125-151.
Gives a list of the species, and synopsis of genera.
MALLOPHAGA.
H. DENNY.—Monographia Anoplurorum Britannize. London, 1842, 26
pl.
C. G. A. GIEBEL.—Insecta epizoa. Die auf Siugethieren und Végeln
schmarotzenden Insekten. Nach Zeichnungen von C, L. Nitzsch.
Leipzig, 1874, 20 pl.
ANDREW MuRRAyY.—Economic Entomology. Aptera. South Ken-
sington Museum Science Handbooks. London and New York,
1877.
The Mallophaga (Anoplura) are treated on pp. 375-384.
P. MEGNIN.—Les Parasites et les maladies parasitaires chez Vhomme,
les animaux domestiques et les animaux sauvages avec lesquels ils
peuvent étre en contact. Insectes, Arachnides, Crustacés. Paris,
1880.
E. PIAGET.—Les Pédiculines. Description de toutes les espéces ob-
servées, enrichie d’espéces nouvelles. Leide, 1880, 56 pl.; Sup-
plement, 1885, 17 pl.
O, TASCHENBERG.—Die Mallophagen mit besonderer Beriicksichtigung
der von Meyer gesammelten Arten. Halle, 1882.
60
THYSANURA.
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—Synopsis of the Thysanura of Essex County,
Mass., with descriptions of a few extralimital forms. <Fifth An-
nual Report of the Trustees of the Peabody Academy of Science
for the year 1872, Salem, 1875, pp. 23-51.
JoHN LuBBOcK.—Monograph ofthe Collembola and Thysanura. Lon-
don, Ray Society, 1873.
The introduction gives the full bibliography up to date.
ANDREW MurRAY.—Economie Entomology. Aptera. South Kensing-
ton Museum Science Handbooks, London and New York, 1877.
The Thysanura are treated of on pp. 401-416.
MYRIAPODA.
I,—CATALOGUES.
No comprehensive catalogue or list have hitherto been published on the
North American Myriapods.
II—COMPREHENSIVE WORKS.
THomASs SAay.—Descriptions of the Myriapode of the United States.
<Journ. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., Vol. If, 1821, pp. 102-114; Say’s Entom.
Writings, ed. Le Conte, Vol. II, pp. 24-32.
This is the first paper of importance on the North American Myriapoda.
GEORGE NEwPortT.—Monograph of the class Myriapoda, Order Chilo-
poda. <Trans. Linnean Soe. of London, Vol. XIX, 1845, ppg 265-
302 and 349-439.
C. L. Kocu.—System der Myriapoden. Regensburg, 1847.
C. L. Kocu.—Die Myriapoden. 2 vols. Halle, 1863.
Horatio ©. Woop, Jr.—On the Chilopoda of North America, with
Catalogue of all the specimens in the collection of the Smithsonian
Institution. <Journ. Ac. Nat. Se. Phil., New Ser., Voi. V, 1863, pp.
5-42.
Horatio ©. Woop, Jr.—The Myriapoda of North America. <Trans.
Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. XIII, 1865, pp. 137-248, 3 pl.
This is the first and only monograph of the Myriapoda published in this
country.
ANDREW MurrAyY.—Economic Entomology. Aptera. South Kensing-
ton Museum Science Handbooks, London and New York, 1877.
ROBERT LATZEL.—Die Myriapoden der Oesterreichisch-Ungarischen
Monarchie. Erste Halfte: Die Chilopoden, Wien, 1880. Zweite
Hialfte: Die Symphylen, Pauropoden und Diplopoden, Wien, 1884.
The most recent comprehensive work on this order, and very important from
a classificatory standpoint.
A. 8S. PACKARD, Jr.—On the morphology of the Myriapoda. <Proe.
Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. X XI, 1883, pp. 197-209.
LucIEN M. UNDERWoOOD.—The North American Myriapoda. <Ento-
mol. Amer., Vol. I, 1885, pp. 141-151.
A complete bibliographical review of the subject, with tables of families and
genera.
61
62
UI.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES OF FAMILIES AND GENERA.
PAUROPODA (families Pawropodide and Hurypauropodide).
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—New or rare Neuroptera, Thysanura, and Myria-
poda. < Proc. Boston Soc. of Nat. Hist., Vol. XIII, 1870, pp. 405-411
A. S. PackARD, Jr.—A remarkable Myriapod. <Amer. Natur., Vol.
LV, 1870, p. 621.
Joun A. RypDER.—Discovery of two remarkable genera of minute
Myriapoda ir Fairmount Park. <Amer. Natur., Vol. XII, 1878, pp.
557, 558.
JoHN A. RyDER.—An account of a new genus of minute Pauropod
Myriapods. <Amer. Natur., Vol. XIII, 1879, pp. 603-612.
DIPLOPODA (families Polyxenide, Polyzonide, Polydesmide, Chor-
deumide, Lysiopetalide, and Julide).
Horatio ©. Woop.—Descriptions of new species of North American
Polydesmide. <Proc. Ac. Nat. Sc. Phil., 1864, pp. 6-10.
JoHn A. RYDER.—List of the North American species of Myriapods
belonging to the family of the Lysiopetalide, with a description of
a blind form from Luray Cave, Virginia. <Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus.,
Vol. IIT, 1881, pp. 524-529.
A. S. PACKARD, Jr.—A revision of the Lysiopetalid, a family of Chi-
lognath Myriapoda, with a notice of the genus Cambala. <Proe.
Amer. Philos. Soc., Vol. X XI, 1883, pp. 177-197.
CHARLES H. BOLLMAN.—Notes on North American Julidz, with de-
scriptions of new species. <Ann. N. Y. Ac. Se. Vol. IV, Nos. 1
and 2, pp. 25-44.
CHILOPODA (families Scutigeride, Geophilide, Scolopendride, and Litho-
biide).
Lupwie Kocu.—Die Myriapodengattung Lithobius. Niirnberg, 1862.
A monograph of the geuus, comprising the species of all continents.
A, StuxBERG.—Nya nordamerikanska Lithobier. <Ofversigt k. Ve-
tensk. Acad. Forh., Vol. XX XII, No. 2, 1875, pp. 65-72.
A. STUXBERG.—Lithobioide Americ borealis. Ofversigt af Nord-
Amerikas hittills kiinda Lithobiider. <Ofversigt k. Vetensk. Acad.
Forh., Vol. XXXII, No. 3, 1875, pp. 23-32.
Fr. MEINERT.—Myriopoda Musei Cantabrigensis, Mass. Part I. Chi-
lopoda. <Proe. Amer. Philos. Soc., 1885, pp. 161-233.
Of great value for the study of classification, though containing no synopses.
Pe.
sissies
ARACHNIDA.
I.—CATALOG UES.
No catalogue of the North American forms has so far been published.
II.—COMPREHENSIVE WORKS.
C. W. HAHN AND C. L. KocH.—Die Arachniden. Niirnberg, 1831—48,
16 vols. with 563 pl.
H. Lucas.—Descriptions et figures d’espéces nouvelles d’Arachnides.
Paris, 1835-36.
C. A. DE WALCKENAER.—Histoire naturelle des Insectes (Suites a Buf-
fon). Apteres. Paris, Roret, 1837-47, 4 vols., with 52 pl.
The first work on general classification of this order, and many North Amer-
ican species are described from drawings by Bosc and Abbot.
N. M. HENTZ.—Descrip tions and figures of the Araneides of the United
States. <Journ. Boston Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol. [V-VI, 184250.
These papers form the basis of the study of American arachnology. Numerous
species are described, but not in synoptic form.
T. THORELL.—On European Spiders. PartI. Review of the European
genera of Spiders. Upsala, 1869~70.
N. M. HEnTz.—Araneze Americe septentrionalis. The Spiders of the
United States. Edited by J. H. Emerton and E. Burgess. <‘‘ Oc-
casional Papers” of the Boston Society of Natural History, 1875.
A reprint of Hentz’s papers on North American spiders.
GRAF EUGEN KEYSERLING.--Amerikanische Spinnen aus den Fami-
lien Pholcoide, Scytodoide und Dysderoide. <Verh. k. k. zool.-
bot. Ges. in Wien, Vol. XX VII, 1877, pp. 205-234.
GRAF EUGEN KEYSERLING.—Neue Spinnen aus Amerika. (Six
parts.) <Verh. k. k. Zool.-bot. Ges. in Wien, Vols. XXIX-
XXXIV, 1879-84.
E. Smwon.—Les Arachnides de France. Paris, Vols. I-V, 1874—84.
These two works represent the most recent systems of classification, and are
therefore of great general value, although they deal only with the Euro-
pean fauna. :
LuciEN M. UNDERWooD.—The Progress of Arachnology in America.
<Amer. Natur., Vol. X XI, 1887, pp. 963-975.
A very useful review of the bibliography, with synoptic table of the families
of the Aranee.
rT =
63
64
III.—MONOGRAPHS AND SYNOPSES.
Aranee.
EPEIRID .
GRAF E. KEYSERLING.—Beschreibung neuer und wenig bekannter
Arten aus der Familie Orbitele Latr. oder Epeiridze Sund.
<Sitzungsber. d. naturw. Ges. Isis in Dresden, 1863 (1864), pp. 63-
154.
J. E. Emerton.—New England Spiders of the family Epeiride.
<Trans. Connect. Acad. of Se, Vol. VI, 1884, pp. 295-342.
THERIDID Zi.
O. P. CAMBRIDGE.—On some new species of Erigone from North Amer-
ica. Two parts. <Proc. Zool. Soc. London, 1874, pp. 428-442 ;
1875, pp. 893-405.
J. H. EmErRtTOoN.—New England Spiders of the family Theridide.
<Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. VI, 1882, pp. 1-86.
GRAF E. KEYSERLING.—Die Spinnen Amerikas. II. Theridide. 1.
Hialfte, Niirnberg, 1854; 2. Hilfte, Niirnberg, 1886.
THOMISID As.
GRAF E. KEYSERLING.—Die Spinnen Amerikas. Laterigrade. Niirn-
berg, 1880.
ATTID &.
G. W. AND E. G. PECKHAM.—Descriptions of new or little known
spiders of the family Attide, from various parts of the United
States of North America. Milwaukee, 1883.
DRASSID 48.
C. L. Kocu.—Die Arachniden-Familie der Drassiden. Niirnburg,
1866-68.
O. P. CAMBRIDGE.—On some new species of Drassides. <Proe. Zool.
Soc. London, 1874, pp. 370-419
LYCOSIDE.
GRAF E. KEYSERLING.—Ueber amerikanische Spinnen-Arten der
Unterordnung Citigrade. <Verh. k. k. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, Vol.
XXXVI, 1876, pp. 609-708.
J. H. EmMerton.—New England Spiders of the family Lycoside.
<Trans. Conn. Acad., Vol. VI, 1885, pp. 481-505.
65
MYGALID&.
ANTON AUSSERER.—Beitrige zur Kenntniss der Arachniden-Familie
der Territelariz Thorell. <Verh. k. k. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien, Vol.
me ST. pps L724.
J. T. MoGGRIDGE.—Harvesting Ants and Trap-door Spiders, with sup-
plementary descriptions of species by Rev. O. P. Cambridge. Lon-
don, 1875-74.
ANTON AUSSERER.—Zweiter Beitrag zur Kenntniss der Arachniden.
Familie der Territelariz Thorell. <Verh. k. k. zool.-bot. Ges.
Wien, Vol. XXV, 1875, pp. 125-206.
Arthrogastra.
T. THORELL.—On the classification of Scorpions. <Ann. and Mag,
Nat. Hist., Vol. XVII, 1876, p..1 ff.
T. THORELL.—Etudes scorpiologiques. Milan, 1877.
Lucien M. UNDERWOOD.—A preliminary list of the Arthrogastra of
North America (excluding Mexico). <Canad. Entom., Vol. XVII,
1885, pp. 162-169.
SOLPUGID A.
EK. Stwon.—Essai dune classification des Galéodes. <Ann. Soc. Ent.
France, 1879, pp. 93 ff.
Fr. KarscH.—Zur Kenntniss der Galeodiden. <Archiv fiir Natur-
gesch., Vol. XLVI, 1880.
J. DUNCAN PuTNAM.—The Solpugide of America. Arranged for pub-
lication by Herbert Osborn. <Proc. Davenport Ac. Nat. Se., Vol.
III, 1882, pp. 149 ff.
This monograph remained incomplete on account of the death of the author.
It contains a complete bibliography on the family.
SCORPIONID &.
HorRAtTio C. Woop, Jr.—Descriptions of new species of North American
_Pedipalpi. <Proe. Acad. Nat. Se. Philadelphia, 1863, p. 107-112.
HoRAtio C. Woop, Jr.—On the Pedipalpi of North America. <Journ.
Acad. Nat. Se. Philadelphia, 2d ser., Vol. V, 1863, pp. 357-376, Pl.
2.4 OF
J. THORELL.—On the classification of Scorpions. <Ann. and Mag. of
Nat. Hist., 4th ser., Vol. X VII, 1876, pp. 1 ff.
J. THORELL.—Etudes Scorpiologiques. <Act. Soc. Ital. d. Se. Nat.,
Vol. XIX, 1877, pp. 75 ff.
22310—Bull 19——5
66
Fr. Karscu.—Scorpionologische Beitriige. <Mitth. d. Miinchener
Entom. Ver., 1879, 2 parts.
CHERNETID &.
A. MENGE.—Ueber die Scheerenspinnen Chernetide. Danzig, 1855.
H. A. HAGeN.—Synopsis Pseudoscorpionidum, synonymica. <Proc.
Boston Soe. Nat. Hist., Vol. XIII, 1870, pp. 263-272.
Lupwie Kocu.—Uebersichtliche Darstellung der européischen Cher-
netiden. Niirnberg, 1873.
* PHALANGID &.
Horatio C. Woop, Jr.—On the Phalange of the United States of
America. <Commun. of the Essex Inst., Vol. VI, 1868, pp. 10-40.
J. THORELL.—Conspectus familiarum et generum Europzorum ordinis
Opilionum. <Ann. del Mus. civico d. Storia nat. de Genova, 1876,
pp. 462 ff.
E. Stwon.—Essai dune classification des Opiliones Mecostethi. <Ann.
Soc. Entom. de Belgique, Vol. XXII, 1880, pp. 183-241.
Acarina.
A. DuGcks.—Recherches sur Vordre des Acariens (III™* Mémoire).
<Ann. des Se. Nat., I1™° sér., Vol. I, 1836, Zoologie, p. 18 ff.
LEON DuFouR.—Descriptions et figures de quelques parasites de l’or-
dre des Acariens. <Ann. des Se. Natur., Vol. XI, 1839, p. 274 ff.
H. NICOLET.—Histoire naturelle des Acariens qui se trouve aux envi-
rons de Paris. <Archives du Muséum (histoire nat. de Paris, Vol.
VII, 1854-55.
C. G. GIEBEL.—Insecta Epizoa. Die Parasiten der Saéugethiere und
Vogel. Leipzig, 1874.
P, M&enin.—Mémoire sur les Métamorphoses des Acariens en général
et en particulier sur celles des Trombidions. <Ann. des Se. Nat.,
Sér. VI, Vol. IV, 1876, Article 5.
P. M&enin.—Mémoire sur Vorganisation et la distribution zoologique
des Acariens de la famille des Gamasidés. <Journ. d’Anatomie et
de Physiologie, 1576, pp. 288-336.
J. P. MEGNIN.—Monographie de la Tribu des Sarcoptides Psorique,
subdivision de la famille des Sarecoptides, ordre des Acariens.
<Revue et Magasin de Zoologie, 1877.
67
P. CRAMER.—Grundziige zur Systematik der Milben. <Wiegm. Ar-
chiv fiir Naturgesch., 1877, pp. 215-248.
ANDREW MurRAyY.—Economic Entomology. Aptera. South Ken-
sington Museum Science Handbooks, London and New York, 1877.
PIERRE MEGNIN.—Mémoire sur les Cheylétides Parasites. <Journ.
d’Anatomie et de Physiologie, 1878, p. 1 ff.
P. MEGNIN.—Les Parasites et les maladies parasitis chez ’homme, les
animaux domestiques et les animaux sauvages avec lesquels ils peu-
vent étre en contact. Insectes, Arachnides, Crustacés. Paris, 1880.
G. HALLER.—-Die Milben als Parasiten der Wirbellosen, in’s Besondere
der Arthropoden. Halle a. S., 1880.
ANTONIO BERLESE.—Acari, Miriopodi e Scorpioni Italiani. Padova,
1882 and subsequent years (not yet completed).
H. GARMAN.—The Phytopti and other injurious plant mites. <Twelfth
Rep. of the State Entom. on the Nox. and Benef. Insects of the State
of Ills., 1883, pp. 123-143.
Besides the two papers just cited the American literature on the Mites fur-
nishes only descriptions or observations concerning single species, or pa-
pers of a more popular character, which I cannot enumerate here; and the
student is referred to the following European works, which have more
or less contributed toward our knowledge of the classification of the
Acarina. .
L. KARPELLES.—Beitriige zur Naturgeschichte der Milben. < Berlin.
entom. Zeitsch., Vol. XXVIII, 1884, pp. 1-34.
ANTONIO BERLESE.—Acarorum Systematis Specimen. <Bull. Soe.
Ent. Ital., Vol. X VII, 1885, p. 121 ff.
HERBERT OSBORN.—Preliminary List of the species of Acarina of
North America. <Canad. Entom., Vol. XVIII, 1886, pp. 4-12.
LIST OF THE MORE IMPORTANT PERIODICALS CITED IN THIS
BULLETIN.
AMERICAN PERIODICALS.
THE AMERICAN NATURALIST. A monthly journal devoted to the
natural sciences in their widest sense (20 volumes published up
to 1887.) (Now published by Leonard Scott Publication Co., Phila-
delphia.)
ANNALS OF THE LYCEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK (8
volumes, 1824-67).
BULLETIN OF THE BROOKLYN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY (7 volumes,
1878-85).
68
BULLETIN OF THE BUFFALO SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY (4 vol-
umes completed, beginning witu 1874; the fifth in course of publi-
cation).
THE CANADIAN ENTOMOLOGIST (edited by William Saunders and lately
by J. S. Bethune; 19 volumes published up to the end of 1887.
Published at London, Ont.)
ENTOMOLOGICA AMERICANA. Published by the Brooklyn Entomolo-
gical Society at Brooklyn, N. Y. (2 volumes completed since 1885;
the third in course of publication).
JOURNAL OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADEL-
PHIA (commencing with 1817).
MEMOIRS OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY (commenc-
ing with 1866).
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHIL-
ADELPHIA (beginning with 1841).
PROCEEDINGS OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF PHIL-
ADELPHIA (beginning with 1860).
PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOSTON SOCIETY OF NATURAL HISTORY (com-
mencing with 1841).
PROCEE DINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF PHILADELPHIA
(6 volumes, 186167).
PAPILIO. Devoted exclusively to Lepidoptera. Organ of the New
York Entomological Club (4 volumes, 188184).
PsycHE.—Organ of the Cambridge Entomological Club (4 volumes
issued up to date. Published at Cambridge, Mass).
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCE OF SAINT LOUIS (4 vol-
umes hitherto published).
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY and pro-
ceedings of the Entomological Section of the Academy of Natural
Sciences (beginning with 1868; 14 volumes published up to 1887.
Published at Philadelphia.)
TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY OF PHIL-
ADELPHIA (2nd series beginning with 1818).
SMITHSONIAN MISUELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS (Smithsonian Institution,
Washington, D. C.; beginning 1862).
BULLETINS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL Museum (Departinent
of the Interior; beginning with 1875).
ise
69
PROCEEDINGS OF THE UNITED STATES NATIONAL MUSEUM (Depart-
ment of the Interior ; beginning with 1878).
BULLETINS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPH-
ICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES, F. V. Hayden in charge
(Department of the Interior; beginning with 1875).
REPORTS OF THE UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL
SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES (Department of the Interior; be-
ginning with 1867).
FOREIGN PERIODICALS.
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE BELGIQUE (beginning
with 1860. Published at Bruxelles).
ANNALES DE LA SOCIETE ENTOMOLOGIQUE DE FRANCE (commencing
with 1832. Published at Paris).
BERLINER ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT (commencing with 1857).
DEUTSCHE ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITSCHRIFT. Herausgegeben von Dr.
G. Kraatz. Berlin (beginning with 1881).
ENTOMOLOGISCHE ZEITUNG. Herausgegeben von dem entomologischen
Verein zu Stettin (beginning with 1840).
LINN ZA ENTOMOLOGICA. Herausgegeben vom entomologischen Verein
zu Stettin (16 volumes. Berlin, 184666.)
OFVERSIGT AF KonGL. SVENSKA VETENSKAPS ACADEMIENS FORHAND-
LINGAR (beginning with 1844. Published at Stockholm).
Proceedings of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
SITZUNGSBERICHTE DER MATHEMATISCH-NATUR WISSENSCHAFTLICH-
EN CLASSE DER KAISERLICHEN ACADEMIE DER WISSENSCHAF-
TEN ZU WIEN (beginning with 1848).
TRANSACTIONS OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY OF LONDON (beginning with
1791).
TRANSACTIONS OF THE LONDON ENTOMOLOGICAL SocrETy (begin-
ning with 1836).
VERHANDLUNGEN DER ZOOLOGISCH-BOTANISCHEN GESELLSCHAFT IN
WIEN (beginning with 1852).
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR DIE ENTOMOLOGIE. Herausgegeben von E. F. Ger-
mar (d volumes. Leipzig, 183944),
MITTHEILUNGEN DER SCHWEIZERISCHEN ENTOMOLOGISCHEN GESELL-
SCHAFT. Bulletin de la Société entomologique suisse (7 volumes
published up to 1887. Published at Geneva).
70
ANNALS AND MAGAZINE OF NATURAL History. London (beginning
with 1838).
REVUE ET MAGASIN DE ZOOLOGIE PURE ET APPLIQUEE. Paris (be-
ginning with 1839).
ZEITSCHRIFT FUR WISSENSCHAFTLICHE ZOOLOGIE. Leipzig (begin-
ning with 1848).
ARCHIV FUR NATURGESCHICHTE. Berlin (beginning with 1835).
LIST OF WORKS ON ECONOMIC ENTOMOLOGY.
1. HARRIS, T, W., Insects Injurious to Vegetation. (Flint edition.)
New York, Orange Judd Co. $4 or $6. (First edition, Cam-
bridge, 1841.)
2. FITcH, ASA, Reports of the State Entomologist of New York. I-
XIV, Albany, 1855-70. (For a full account of these, see First
Annual Report, by J. A. Lintner, State Entomologist of New
York, pp. 294-297.)
3. The Practical Entomologist. Vols. land II. Published by the Ento-
mological Society of Philadelphia, 1865-67.
4, The American Entomologist, edited by B. D. Walsh and C. V.
Riley. Vol. I. Saint Louis, Mo., 1868. (Out of print.)
5. The American Entomologist and Botanist, edited by C. V. Riley
and Dr. George Vasey. Vol. II. Saint Louis, Mo., 1870.
6. The American Entomologist, edited by C. V. Riley. Vol. IIL,
[Second series. Vol. I.] New York, Hub Publishing Co., 1880.
7. WALSH, b. D., Annual Report on the Noxious Insects of the State
of Illinois. Chicago, Prairie Farmer Co. Steam Print, 1868.
8. RILEY, C. V., Reports of the State Entomologist of Missouri. I-
IX, Jefferson City, 1869-77.
9. LE BARON, WILLIAM, Reports of the State Entomologist of IIli-
nois. I-IV, Springfield, 1871~74.
10. THomAS, Cyrus, Reports of the State Entomologist of Illinois. I-
VI, Springfield, 187681.
11. LinrnER, J. A., Reports of the State Entomologist of New York.
I-III, Albany, 188286.
12. FORBES, 8. A., Reports of the State Entomologist of Illinois. I-
III, Springfield, 188385.
71
13. Forses, 8S. A., Miscellaneous Essays on Economic Entomology.
(Published instead of Annual Report. Springfield, Ill., 1886.)
14. TREAT, MARy, Injurious Insects of the Farm and Garden. New
York, Orange Judd Co., 1882. (A small work compiled from
Riley’s reports, and costing $2.)
15. SAUNDERS, WILLIAM, Insects Injurious to Fruits. Philadelphia,
J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1883. $3.
16. CooKE, MATTHEW, Injurious Insects of the Orchard, Vineyard, ete.
Sacramento, 1883. (8vo, pp. 472.)
17. VAN BENEDEN, P. J., Animal Parasites and Messmates. New York,
D. Appleton & Co., 1876. $1.50. International Scientific Se-
ries.
18. Reports of the Entomologists of the U. S. Department of Agricult-
ure, T. Glover (1863-1878), J. H. Comstock (1879-1880), and C.
V. Riley (1878-1879, 1880 to date).
19. Bulletins of the Division of Entomology of the U.S. Department
of Agriculture, C. V. Riley, Entomologist (1883 to date).
20. Reports and Bulletins of the U. S. Entomological Commission.
21. CuRTIS, JOHN, Farm Insects. London, Blackie & Son, 1860.
22. ORMEROD, ELEANOR A., Manual of Injurious Insects, and Methods
of Prevention, ete. London and Edinburgh, 1581. (A small
work, costing about $1.50.)
25. KALTENBACH, J. H., Die Pflanzenfeinde aus der Classe dev Insek-
ten. Svo. Stuttgart, 1874. (A useful work for determining
what insects infest plants in Europe.)
LIST OF ENTOMOLOGICAL WORKS PUBLISHED BY THE U.S. ENTO-
MOLOGICAL COMMISSION AND BY THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF
AGRICULTURE.
U. S. ENTOMOLOGICAL COMMISSION.
(Members of the Commission: C. V. Riley, A. S. Packard, jr., and Cyrus Thomas. )
Bulletin No. 1.—Destruction of the young or unfledged Locusts (Calop-
tenus spretus). (1877.) [pp. 15.]
Bulletin No. 2.—On the Natural History of the Rocky Mountain Locust
and on the habits of the young or unfledged Insects as they occur
in the more fertile country in which they will hatch the present
year. (1877.) [pp. 14, figs. 10.]
72
Bulletin No. 3.—The Cotton Worm. Summary of its Natural History,
with an Account of its Enemies, and the best Means of controlling
it; being a Report of Progress of the Work of the Commission. By .
Chas. V. Riley, M. A., Ph. D. (1880.) [pp. 144, figs. 84, plates I.]
Bulletin No. 4.—The Hessian Fly. Its Ravages, Habits, Enemies, and
Means of preventing its Increase. By A. 8S. Packard, jr., M. D.
(1880.) [pp. 43, figs. 1, plates IL, maps I.]
Bulletin No. 5.—The Chinech Bug. Its History, Characters, and Habits,
and the Means of destroying it or counteracting its Injuries. By
Cyrus Thomas, Ph. D. (1879.) [pp. 44, figs. 10, maps I.]
Bulletin No. 6.—General Index and Supplement to the nine Reports on
the Insects of Missouri. By Charles V. Riley, M. A., Ph. D. (1881.)
[pp. 177. ]
Bulletin No. 7.—Insects injurious to Forest and Shade Trees. By A.S.
Packard, jr. M. D. (1881.) [pp. 275, figs. 100.]
First Annual Report for the year 1877, relating to the Rocky Mountain
Locust and the best Methods of preventing its Injuries and of guard-
ing against its Invasions, in pursuance of an Appropriation made
by Congress for this purpose. With maps and illustrations. (1878.)
[pp. 4774294, figs, 111, plates V, maps I.]
Second Report for the years 1878 and 1879, relating to the Rocky Moun-
tain Locust and the Western Cricket, and treating of the best
Means of subduing the Locust in its permanent Breeding-grounds,
with a view of preventing its Migrations into the more fertile
Portions of the trans-Mississippi country, in pursuance of Appro-
priations made by Congress for this purpose. With Maps and I1-
lustrations. (1880.) [pp. XVIII4+322+422, figs. 10, plates XVII,
maps 7. |
Third Report relating to the Rocky Mountain Locust, the Western
Cricket, the Army Worm, Canker Worms, and the Hessian Fly;
together with Descriptions of Larve of injurious Forest Insects,
Studies on the embryological Development of the Locust and of
other Insects, and on the systematic Position of the Orthoptera in
Relation to other Orders of insects. With Maps and Illustrations.
(1883.) [pp. XviI+347+4 91, figs. 14, plates LXIV, maps 3].
Fourth Report, being a revised Edition of Bulletin No. 3, and the Final
Report on the Cotton Worm and Boll Worm. By Charles V. Riley,
Ph. D. (1885.) [pp. xxxv1I+399+147, figs. 45, plates LXIV,
maps 2. }
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The annual reports of the Entomologist are contained in the corre-
sponding annual reports of the Department of Agriculture. A limited
author’s edition, separately bound, and with table of contents and
index is published each year.
73
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 1.—Reports of Experiments, chiefly
with Kerosene, upon the Insects injuriously affecting the Orange
Tree and the Cotton Plant, made under the Direction of the Ento-
mologist. (1883.) [pp. 62.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 2.—Reports of Observations on
the Rocky Mountain Locust and Chinch Bug, together with Ex-
tracts from the Correspondence of the Division on Miscellaneous
Insects. (1883.) [pp. 36.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 3.—Reports of Observations and
Experiments in the practical Work of the Division, made under the
Direction of the Entomologist. With plates. (1883.) [pp. 75, plates
III. |
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 4.—Reports of Observations and
Experiments in the practical Work of the Division, made under the
Direction of the Entomologist, together with Extracts from Cor-
respondence on miscellaneous Insects. (1884.) [pp. 102, figs. 4.]
Bureau of Entomology, Bulletin No. 5.—Descriptions of North American
Chalcidid from the Collections of the U. 8S. Department of Ag-
riculture and of Dr. C. V. Riley, with biological Notes. [First
paper.| Together with a List of the described North American Spe-
cies of the Family. By L. O. Howard, M. Sc., Assistant, Bureau
of Entomology. (1885.) [pp. 47.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 6.—The imported Elm-leaf Beetle.
Its Habits and Natural History, and Means of counteracting its In-
juries. (1885). [pp. 18, figs. 1, plates I.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 8.—The Periodical Cicada. An
Account of Cicada septendecim and its tredicim Race, with a Chro-
nology of all of the broods known. By Charles V. Riley, Ph. D.
(1885.) [pp. 46, figs. 8.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 9.—The Mulberry Silk-worm; be-
ing a Manual of Instructions in Silk-culture. By Charles V. Riley,
M. A., Ph. D. (1886.) [pp. 65, figs. 29, plates IT.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 10.—Our Shade Trees and their In-
sect Defoliators. Being a Consideration of the four most injurious
Species which affect the Trees of the Capital ; with Means of destroy-
ing them. By Charles V. Riley, Entomologist. (1887.) [pp. 75,
figs. 27.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 11.—Reports of Experiments with
various Insecticide Substances, chiefly upon Insects affecting garden
Crops, made under the Direction of the Entomologist. (1886.)
[pp. 34. ]
74
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 12.—Miscellaneous Notes on the
work of the Division of Entomology for the Season of 1885; pre-
pared by the Entomologist. (1886.) [pp. 45, plates I.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 13.—Reports of Observations and .
Experiments in the practical Work of the Division, made under the
Direction of the Entomologist. (With illustrations.) (1887.) [pp.
78, figs. 4.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 14.—Reports of Observations and
Experiments in the practical Work of the Division, made under the
Direction of the Entomologist. (1887.) [pp. 62, figs. 2, plates I.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 15.—The Icerya, or Fluted Scale,
otherwise known as the Cottony Cushion-scale. (Reprint of some
recent Articles by the Entomologist and of a Report from the Agri-
cultural Experiment Station, University of California.) (1887.) ©
[pp. 40. |
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 16,—The Entomological Writings of
Dr. Alpheus Spring Packard. BySamuel Henshaw. (1887.) [pp.49.]
Division of Entomology, Bulletin No. 17.—The Chinch Bug: A general
Summary of its History, Habits, Enemies, and of the Remedies and
Preventives to be used against it. By L. O. Howard, M.S., Assist-
tant Entomologist. (1888.) [pp. 48, figs. 10.]
Report on Cotton Insects. By J. Henry Comstock. (1879.) [pp. 511,
figs. 77, plates IT1.]
Special Report, No. 11.—The Silkworm; being a brief Manual of Instrue-
tions for the Production of Silk. Prepared, by Direction of the
Commissioner of Agriculture, by C. V. Riley, M. A., Ph. D., Ento-
mologist. (First ed., 1879; fifth ed., 1885.) [p. 37, figs. 8.]
Special Report, No. 35.—Report on Insects injurious to Sugar Cane.
Prepared, under Direction of the Commissioner of Agriculture, by
J. Henry Comstock, Entomologist. (1881.) [pp. 11, figs. 3.]
Division of Entomology. Insects Affecting the Orange.—Report on the In-
sects affecting the Culture of the Orange and other Plants of the
Citrus Family, with practical Suggestions for their Control or Exter-
mination. By H.G. Hubbard. (1885.) [pp. x+227, figs. 95, plates
XIV.]
Nore.—During the years 1864 to 1876, inclusive, the Department of
Agriculture published regularly monthly reports, mainly statistical in
their character (replaced since 1876 by the series of monthly ‘Crop Re-
ports”), but which contained many short articles by the Entomologist,
Townend Glover. None of these articles would come within the scope
of the present bulletin, and the insects treated of may be ascertained
by reference to the “General Index of the Agricultural Reports of the
Patent Office and of the Department of Agriculture, from 1837 to 1876.”
Washington, 1879.
15
HOW TO OBTAIN ENTOMOLOGICAL BOOKS AND PAMPHLETS.
Comparatively few of the works treating of the classification of North
American insects have been published as separate books; but such as
have been so published, if of comparatively recent date, can be obtained
through the regular book trade. By far the greater number of the
monographs and synopses mentioned in the preceding pages have
been published in scientific periodicals and transactions of scientific
societies. Thse periodicals and transactions can be obtained through
the societies which publish them and through the publishers; but,
in the case of transactions, single volumes, and more especially single
papers, are seldom sold, and the older volumes are liable to be out
of print. Moreover the expense attending the purchase of all of the
periodicals containing the publications on a given order of insects will
be so great as to put them beyond the reach of most entomologists.
The custom of placing at the disposal of authors a number of separate
copies of their papers overcomes this difficulty to some extent and cre-
ates a small supply. Thus it often happens that a person interested
ean obtain a copy of a scientific paper by addressing the author person-
ally. Many of these separate copies also get into the possession of
dealers in second-hand books, and can be purchased from them. The
American Entomological Society of Philadelphia and also a few other
societies here and in Europe offer for sale from their duplicates many
of these authors’ extras, and in some cases publish lists. There are,
moreover, certain business establishments which make a specialty of
the sale of works and pamphlets on Natural History, including Ento- ©
mology, and it is chiefly through such establishments that the student
is enabled to secure the larger portion of the works needed. In Amer-
ica there is at present but one of these special dealers of any promi-
nence, viz, Dr. A. E. Foote, of 1223 Belmont avenue, Philadelphia, Pa.
But in Europe there are several of considerable reputation; among these
we may mention: :
R. Friedlaender & Sohn, Carlstrasse, 11, Berlin, Germany.
Ed. André, 21 Boulevard Bretonniere, Beaune (Céte-d’Or), France.
'H. W. Schmidt, Rannische Strasse, Nr. 1, Halle a. S, Germany.
J.B. Bailliére et fils, 19, Rue Hautefeuille, Paris, France.
Oswald Weigel, Kénigsstrasse, 1, Leipzig, Germany.
U. Hoepli, Corso Vitt. Eman., 37, Milan, Italy.
Otto Harrassowitz, Querstrasse, 14, Leipzig, Germany.
William Wesley & Son, 28 Essex street, Strand, London, England.
All of these firms publish catalogues, and in writing to them the ento-
mological catalogue should be especially asked for. There are two firms
in New York which act as agents for all of these houses, and works can
be ordered through them or catalogues obtained from them. These are
76
B. Westermann & Co., 838 Broadway, New York, and Gustav E. Stech-
ert, 766 Broadway, New York.
By subscribing to the entomological periodicals published in this
country (a matter of but slight expense) the student may keep abreast
of the current literature. Short book reviews or notes published in
onr periodicals call attention to the more important publications in
other countries. Moreover, the Zodlogischer Anzeiger, edited by Prof.
J. Victor Carus, in Leipzig, Germany, and published every fortnight,
gives a tolerably complete bibliography of the current entomological
literature at intervals of about six or eight weeks. The “ Nature
Novitates,’”’ published every fortnight by R. Friedlaender & Sohn, Carl-
strasse, 11, Berlin, Germany, gives the titles of most recent works and
pamphlets.
There are also three great annual publications, viz: ** Die Fortschritte
auf dem Gebiet der Entomologie,” published in Wiegmann’s “ Archiv
fiir Naturgeschichte”; ‘“‘The Zodlogical Record,” published by the
Zoological Record Society, in London, England ; and the * Zodlogische
Jahresberichte,” published by the Zodlogical Station at Naples, Italy,
which give the full literature of the previous year, discussing the more
important papers and giving a list of the new species, besides other.
information. One or the other of these three publications is almost
indispensable to the student in any branch of Zodlogy, and ought to
be found in every public library in the country. Unfortunately, only
a year ago the editors of the ‘ Zodlogische Jahresberichte” found it nec-
essary, in order to reduce expenses, to curtail the scope of the work;
so that, beginning with the year 1887, this publication no longer con-
tains titles upon systematic and classificatory Zodlogy. Only biological
titles are now published, but the series up to 1887 is the most complete
thing of its kind. .
A not inconsiderable portion of the North American literature on the
classification of insects has been published by the General Government
through various channels, and foremost among them are the Smith-
sonian Institution, the U. S. Department of :Agriculture, the U. 8S. Na-
tional Museum, the U.S. Geological and Geographical Survey, and the
reports of the various surveys of the Territories. Many of these pub-
lications are distributed free of cost to any one applying for them; while
others, like certain ot the Smithsonian publications, are sold at a mod-
erate price to cover tke cost of publication. Many of them are out of
print, and can only be obtained through natural history book-dealers.
The firms mentioned above will have many of them, and Lowdermilk &
Co., of Washington, D. C., who make a specialty of Government pub-
lications, are always able to furnish many more.
Of the more general works, some of them can be obtained direct from
the publishers, and in such cases the publishers are mentioned in the
general list. The older ones are mostly out of print and can only be
obtained from second-hand dealers. The current State reports of Lint-
tt
ner and Forbes cau be obtained from the secretaries of the respective
State Agricultural Societies at Albany, N. Y., and Springfield, IIL,
while the reports of the Entomologists of the newly esiablished State
Experiment Stations, of which a large number will soon be published,
can be obtained from the directors of the respective Stations. The
older reports of the State Entomologist of Missouri and the State Ento-
mologists of Illinois (Walsh, Le Baron, and Thomas) are all out of print
and can only be obtained by purchase from second-hand dealers. The
same may be said of the well-known and often quoted reports of Dr.
Fitch, which were published with the old volumes of the Transactions
of the New York State Agricultural Society.
°
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 20.
THE
ROOT-KNOT DISEASE.
OF THE
PEACH, ORANGE, AnD OTHER PLANTS
IN
FLOR EDA,
DUE TO THE WORK OF ANGUILLULA.
PREPARED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST,
BY
J. C. NEAL, Pu. D., M. D.-
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING.OFFICE.
1889.
J. M. RUSK,
Sa aadiuy G Y Gy Aptirallute.
«ewe by
ys
Hite ie)
pe ¥
| C211 ee
tas EP ART MENT-OF AGRICULTURE
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 20.
TELE
RKOOT-KNOT DISEASE
PEACH, ORANGE anp OTHER PLANTS -
FLORIDA,
DU TOs LE WOKK OF ANGUILLULA:
PREPARED, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST,
LY
J. @ NBAL, Pu, D., M.-D:
é Welt Sere leN GalOuN:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,
T3:6.g):
23495—Bull. 20 1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, May 10, 1889.
Str: I have the honor to transmit for publication Bulletin No. 20 of
this Division, being a report of studies and experiments made upon the
Anguillula, which is the cause of the root-knot disease of the Peach and
Orange in Florida, by J.C. Neal, Ph. D., M. D., of Lake City, Fla.
Respectfully,
CV. RILEY,
Entomologist.
Hon. J. M. Rusk,
Sceretary of Agriculture.
INTRODUCTORY NOTE.
For several years past complaint has been made to the Division of En-
tomology concerning the damage done by various species of Anguillu-
lide, which affect the roots of different plants in different sections of
the country, and I have frequently been urged, as Entomologist, to in-
vestigate the matter. I have always been puzzled to know what reply
to make in such cases, as no American investigator has undertaken a
a systematic study of these Nematodes, and they do not, in a zodlogical
sense, strictly belong to the Division work. I have contented myself
‘therefore with recording the various facts of injury to different plants
that have come to me in the past twenty years, and some microscopic
notes in reference to the specimens. One species seems to do consid-
erable damage to certain plants in greenhouses in the North, while
another is equally destructive to the roots of trees and plants in the
South, particularly in Florida. Towards the close of the year 1887 the
complaints of the damage done by the Florida root-inhabiting species
were so numerous that, at the request of the Commissioner of Agricul-
ture, I decided to conduct some investigations as a part of the Division
work. The demands upon the resources of the Division arising from
its more legitimate investigations have been such that but little time
and small funds could be spent in this direction. Dr. J. C. Neal, then
of Archer, Fla., but now Entomologist and Botanist of the Florida Ag-
ricultural Experiment Station at Lake City, a diligent observer, and
associated with me in previous investigations both under the U.S. En-
tomological Commission and under this Division, was commissioned for
five months and instructed to make as careful studies and experiments
concerning this pest as it would be possible to make during the short
time of his employment. His work was done between February 1 and
September 1, 1888, and while I do not claim for Dr. Neal, any more
than he would himself claim, special or technical knowledge in this
branch of Zodlogy, his work is not without scientific interest. The in-
vestigations have been, however, from a practical stand-point, and the
results more than justify the slight expenditure. The Bulletin makes
no pretense to be a scientific treatise on the life history of these worms,
but isin the main an effort to ascertain a suitableremedy. The general
literature on the subject has not been at Dr. Neal’s command, and my
5
6
time is so fully oceupied otherwise that I can do little or nothing at
present in the way of identification of species or of comparing Dr. Neal’s
results with those of European investigators, which, as a matter of fact,
are of little practical importance. The study of the full life history of
any one of the species is attended with much difficulty, and will re-
quire much time in field and laboratory ; while the technical and clas-
sificatory treatment of the subject should be undertaken by some com-
petent helminthologist.
O:-Ve:
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
ARCHER, FLA., December 2, 1888.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report upon the root-
knot disease and its cause, the Anguillula. .
These investigations, conducted under your direction, began in Feb-
ruary, 1858, and have been continued to this date.
While not conclusive in all respects, they are at least contributions
to the history of this microscopic pest, that may eventually lead to its
subjection or to the mitigation of its ravages.
In conclusion, allow ne to express to you my thanks for your aid and
guidance during the preparation of the report.
Respectfully submitted.
J. CO. NEAL, M, Ds,
Speewl Agent.
Prot. .©., Vo. Rinby,
Entomologisé.
~~)
THE ROOT-KNOT.
DEFINITION.
An abnormal and irregular growth of the subcortical layer of roots
and subterranean stems, characterized by low vitality, the result of
an invasion of the tissues by a Nematode worm. (Note 1.)
HISTORY.
Since the earliest settlement of the South Atlantic and Gulf States
by white people this diseased condition of the roots of trees and plants
has been recognized. (Note 2.)
A very slight inspection has shown the decaying enlargements of
roots, but the cause has usually been attributed to a lack in the soil of
some important fertilizing ingredient, or careless cultivation, rather than
some potent exterior influence. .
I have carefully examined all sources of information at my command,
and can find no mention of the root-knot in any agricultural paper or
book prior to the year 1857.
That year Hon. P. J. Berckmans established a nursery at Augusta,
Ga., and soon found this disease prevalent in many varieties of trees
and plants, and in 1881 Prof. C. V. Riley being at Augusta was shown
the effect of the disease by Mr. Berckmans.
In 1869 Mr. Gilbert Cnderdonk, of Nursery, Tex., noted the disease
in his fig, grape, and peach stocks, especially in damp, undrained loca-
tions.
In 1876 I found the root-knot prevalent over Florida, and learned from
old residents that as far back as 1805 it had been known, and from time
immemorial had been dreaded as a foe to gardens and groves.
About 1874 this disease, however, sprang into prominence, owing to
the influx ofimmigrants, the development of early-market gardens and
the sudden rage for orchards of peaches, figs, and oranges.
Since that time the agricultural papers have contained numerous ref-
erences to this disease. My own attention was called to this pest by
repeated failures to grow certain plants in a rich, damp spot on my
farm.
This led me to investigate; and sending a specimen of the knotty
roots to the Agricultural Department at Washington, elicited the infor-
mation that a microscopic worm was the cause of the trouble, but that
little was known of the Nematoid family to which it belonged.
10
seyond doubt, the disease is peculiar to the South Atlantic and Gulf
coast within a limit of 150 miles from tide-water. (Note 3.)
Mr. P. J. Berekmans remarks on this score—and I know no better au-
thority— that it is indigenous to a large portion of the South seems un-
deuiable, as I have seen it in places in Georgia and Alabama where
neither trees nor plants had ever been introduced from other sections.”
Mr. Onderdonk also states a similar opinion. Other correspondents
at Mobile, Ala, and in Texas confirm these statements.
PLANTS INVADED.
I.—Uncultivated : b. Badly affected :
a. Slightly affected : Portulaca oleracea ( Purslane).
Capsella bursa-pastoris (Shep- Sesuvium pentandrum (Sand
herd’s Purse). Purslane).
Rubus villosus et trivialis Verbesina siegesbeckia et sinu-
(Blackberry and Dewberry). | ata.
Eupatorium feeniculaceum (South- | Artemisia caudata (Wormwood).
ern Dog Fennel). Chenopodium botrys (Jerusalem
Quamoelit vulgaris (Cypress Oak).
Vine). Amarantus spinosus (Careless
Weed).
The above list, no doubt, will in time, and with a careful investiga:
tion, be greatly extended; most of these are the commonest of weeds in
old fields and badly cultivated grounds, and the Chenopodium alone
would be an ample shelter and breeding- place for the Anguillula, inde-
pendent of other wild or cultivated plants.
The Eupatorium and Chenopodium are perennials, spread rapidly,
and have great vitality, and for years it has been noted that where these
weeds abound the root-knot exists in the greatest degree.
The Sesuvium and Portulaca, both with fleshy roots, are very com-
mon, and are an easy prey to the worms, but my experience indicates
the Amarantus spinosus as the most dreaded and destructive agent
in the spread of the root-knot, its roots being apparently the favorite
of the Anguillula.
In Georgia, my correspondents deem the Verbesina and Artemisia
the weeds most diseased, but in Texas, Mississippi, and Alabama, the
list is about the same as I have given for Florida. (Note 4.)
[t will be seen that it will be impossible to determine certainly the
original food-plant of this pest, as it seems to attack the roots of so
many; and the inference that any tender growth not impregnated with
a decided toxie principle may be invaded is a doubtful conelusion to
my mind.
it
II.— Cultivated. Ii.— Cultivated —Continued.
ce. Useful. b. Badly attected.
a. Slightly affected. Koniga maritima.
b. Badly affected.
d. Ornamental.
a. Slightly affected.
Gossypium herbaceum et barba-
dense (Cotton).
Solanum tuberosum et esculen-
tum (Potato and Egg-plant).
Capsicum annunm (Pepper).
Spinacia oleracea (Spinach).
Jatropha manihot (Cassava).
Zea mais (Corn).
The Genus Brassica (Sinapis),
(Cabbage, Kale, etc.).
Raphanus sativus (Iadish).
Hibiscus esculentus (Okra).
Pisum sativum (Pea).
Arachis hy pogzea (Pea-nut).
Dolichos catiang (Cow Pea).
Phaseolus vulgaris (Bean).
Phaseolus lunatus et nanns
( Bean).
All of the Genus Cucurbita
(Squashes, ete.).
All of the Genus Citrullus (Mel-
on).
All of the Genus Cucumis (Cu-
cumber).
Lycopersicum esculentum (7o-
mato).
Beta vulgaris, varietics (Bect).
Hibiseus syriacus et coccinneus.
Mesembryanthemum, various spe-
cies (Ice-plant).
Mikania scandens (Parlor Ivy).
Pharbitis purpurea et al. sp.
(Morning Glory).
Nolana, sp.
Petunia, sp. (Petunia).
Boussingaultia basselloides.
Iberis umbellata.
Lagenaria vulgaris (Gourd).
Begonia, sp. (Begonia).
Dahlia variabilis.
Helianthus annuns (Sunflower).
Coleus, var. sp.
Achyranthes, var. sp.
Amarantus var. sp.
Shrubs and Trees.
c. Useful.
a. Slightly affected.
Citrus vulgaris (Bitter sweet Or-
ange).
Citrus aurantium, var. sp. (Or-
ange, Lemon, etc.).
Vitis, var. sp. (Grape).
Prunus myrobolanus ( Plum).
Broussonettia papyrifera (Paper
Mulberry).
Morus, var. sp. (Mulberry).
Juglans cinerea (Walnut).
Carya oliveeformis (Pecan).
b. Badly affected.
Prunus domestica (Plum).
Prunus armeniaca (Apricot).
Prunus vulgaris (Peach).
Prunus communis (Almond).
Ficus carica (Fig).
Juglans regia (Lnglish Walnut).
Salix, var. sp. (Willows).
d. Ornamental.
Spirea sorbifolia,var. sp. (Spirea).
Prunus nana et lanceolata ( low-
ering Almond).
Buddleia, var. sp.
Gardenia florida (Cape Jessa-
mine).
This long list embraces the greater part of our most valuable food-
plants, fruit-trees, and many of the choicest flowers, and it fully justi-
fies the inquiry now made as to the history and means to prevent the
spread of the disease induced by the Anguillula.
I think it useless to endeavor to account for the apparent vagaries of
the Anguillula, as, for instance, to ascertain why the roots of the Prunus
vulgaris are so badly affected, while Prunus cerasus are unhurt; or why
the Leguminose are susceptible and the Umbelliferme are not. It is
reasonably sure that rapidly growing, soft tissued roots are better sub-
jects for invasion, expansion, and decay than those of slow growth and
12
denser structure, and the self-evident corollary is that methods and fer-
tilizers promoting a rapid suceulent growth should be avoided in all
locations infected with the root-knot.
EFFECTS OF THE INVASION OF THE ANGUILLULA.
T have found mature worms, males and non-pregnant females, in root-
lets but a few days old, and under circumstances which involved the
necessity of invasion from without the root. See Experiment No. 22.
These Anguillule were small enough to enter the “ stomata” of epi-
dermal tissues, active and strong enough to even penetrate cell-walls, or
to separate cells in loosely connected tissues. Once within, they could
easily pass through the Cienchymatous system of the Parenchyma to
any portion of the root, and I think it not unreasonable to infer that in
this manner they obtain entrance in young rootlets.
Their presence causes a rapid proliferation of cells, resulting in a soft,
unnatural, irregular growth of the root, with low vitality, and a varied
effect upon the plant or tree. ;
The Chenopodium, Eupatorium, Artemisia, Amarantus, Gossypium,
Solanum, and Petunia have the enlargements usually on the sides of
the main stem, near the sarface. The “ tap-root,” descending deeply is
rarely affected, and the plants seem slightly affected till the sub-corti-
eal layer is filled with worms in all stages of growth. This checks
growth, either by their absorption of the nutrition gathered by the root-
lets, or obstruction of the Cienchymatous ducts, the food supply is cut
off before decay is visible, the leaves wither, the stems shrivel, the plant
dies. (Plate VIII, 1a, 4 b.)
The roots of the Okra, Radish, Turnip, Cabbage, Cucumber, Melon,
Cow-pea, Peanut, Tomato, and Egg Plant enlarge enormously, soon be-
coming little else than masses of decaying tissues. The plant stops
erowth, the fruit either becomes distorted or drops prematurely, the
leaves change color and fall off, and the plants die so rapidly as to justify
the usual expression “struck by lightning,” applied to the fields of
Melons, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Cow-peas so often badly affected
by the root-knot. (Plates I, II, III, 1V, and VIIL.)
In nurseries of young fruit-trees the greatest mischief occurs. The
soil is usually carefully prepared by heavy fertilizing and culture, and
the seeds of the Peach, Orange, and English Walnut are sown for
stocks. When the tender shoots first appear many wither and die at
once, others grow vigorously till the end of the first season, when they
are usually budded with known and valuable varieties of fruit. The
next spring these buds put out tardily and make a weak growth, the
leaves become spotted or yellow, then drop, the bud dies, feeble strag-
eling shoots sprout around the stem, which maintain a sickly vitality
till the first drought, when the tree dies, and an examination dis-
closes the cause in the knotty, decaying roots, without rootlets or
fibrill.
13
With older trees taken from healthy locations and set in infected soil
the program varies. The Peach and Fig often grow vigorously one or
two years, and bear fruit that is very prone to drop immaturely, then
the tree takes on an irregular growth of stunted limbs and small leaves.
The tips of these limbs die back gradually to the body of the tree. - If
the soil is clayey the tree will put out feeble sprouts often for several
years.
With the Pecan, English Walnut, and Willow, older trees remain sta-
tionary a year or so and die with the occasion of a severe drought.
In many cases, especially in old fields, the seeds of trees and plants
barely germinate, or cuttings hardly form rootlets till they are invaded
and destroyed.
In all of these cases the effect is to deprive the stems and leaves of
food and moisture; the knots grow, the branches do not.
The annual destruction of nursery stock is enormous, especially the
Peach, Fig, Willow, Spirzea, Buddleia, Coleus, ete.
- In the sketches taken from nature, attached to this report, are shown
typical specimens as far as possible.
The Grape, Fig, Mulberry, and Orange are prone to circular knob-like
knots on the sides of the larger roots, and an occasional enlargement
at the junction of small roots. (Plates IV and VIL.)
~The Peach, Plum, Walnut, and Spirzea grow irregular masses, involv-
ing the whole root seemingly. (Plate V.)
The Willow, Okra, ete., enlarge, and the decay is usually visible first
at the extreme tip of growth from the central stem. (Plates VI, I, and
i.)
TERRITORY OCCUPIED BY THIS DISEASE.
Early in the beginning of my studies of the Anguillula, I addressed
letters of inquiry to most of the leading nurserymen and horticulturists
in the United States, especially those in the southern section, asking an
examination of diseased trees, and inclosing samples of the root-knot
for comparison.
The replies I received are conclusive that the disease is unknown be-
yond any point in the interior 150 miles from the coast.
It does not exist except in locations free from extreme cold, and the
northern boundary is not far from the January isotherm of 50°, as shown
in the No. 2, Isothermal Lines of the U. S. Signal Service, 1851.
Letters from the Peach districts of Michigan, Maryland, and New
Jersey complain of the ‘ Yellows,” but investigators do not report find-
ing the diseased roots indicative of the Anguillula.
It is not found at Denison, Tex. (Munson), only along the coast in
that State, and then only in sandy, wet locations. (Onderdonk.)
The usual dry air of New Mexico, California, and regions west of the
Mississippi River, with the summer parched soil of these sections, forms
apparently a barrier to the growth and spread of the disease, but coming
14
eastward it is progressively worse, till it reaches a climax in Florida,
which seems to possess the requisite soil, humidity, aud warmth for the
proper environment of the Anguillula, and consequently its complete
development for mischief in gardens and groves.
Add to this the cultivation of special food plants extremely suscept-
ible to invasion by the worm, and there can be no wonder at its prodig-
ious increase.
TEMPERATURE.
The question of temperature is no doubt one of great importance in
determining the boundaries of this disease, perhaps more so than food-
plarts or soils.
The soil that is annually frozen from 6 to 10 inches is nearly disin-
fected from the worms, especially those existing in a free state in the
soil, or inhabiting the soft roots of annual plants, and this may explain
why southern Michigan, northeastern Ohio, and New Jersey, with as
sandy a soil as Florida or south Georgia, still escape the plague in the
Peach orchards.
The Chenopodium, Artemisia, etc., abound in these States, and no
doubt are the habitat of Anguillule, but the continued cold reduces
their number to the minimum each year, and the fibrous-rooted trees
are unharmed.
Again, in some cold localities the trees kept in hot-houses are af-
fected; those without in open ground escape.
Places favored with hot, dry summers and cold, wet winters will not
likely ever suffer from the ravages of the root- knot.
My experiments are conclusive that below 50° in fluid, and above
that, dry, the worms are inactive, paralyzed by cold, and shriveled by
dryness and heat, and the inference is plain that parties wishing best
results must either choose unsusceptible stocks, for grafting or budding
trees liable to infection by the Anguillula, remove to favored loca-
tions, or find some means of destroying the worms.
The arid regions of the West fill one indication, the others are still
sub judice, but in a fair way for determination.
SOILS.
It can not be questioned but that a light, sandy soil offers least re-
sistance to the progress of the Anguillula after its liberation from de-
caying roots either encysted or free.
Experiments with air-dry soil show that water penetrates sand in half
the time that it will penetrate clay, and over large areas of cultivated
land the proportion would still be greater in favor of the sand.
Loose soils, mixed with decaying vegetation and humus, offer still
better facilities for irrigation, and this explains the fact that locations
highly fertilized with composts, stable manure, or leaf-mold show the
root-knot quicker in plants than compact or virgin soils, and the worst
15
results are found in gardens planted in long cultivated, fully fertilized,
and thoroughly pulverized areas.
Moisture is an essential to the vigorous growth of the Anguillula,
though it withstands an enormous amount of drying.
The cysts shrivel, pregnant females become irregular in outline, ma-
ture worms stiffen and remain indefinitely with suspended vitality, but
resume action with the application of sufficient moisture. (Note 5.)
A friable soil, with compact clay near the surface insuring needed
dampness, presents then the typical environment for the Anguillula,
and this, alas, also is regarded in this section as the most advantageous
location for a garden or grove.
Another very favorable location for these worms is the boggy bank
of a lake or river, where there is a mass of wet, decaying vegetation.
EXPERIMENTS.
A series of experiments, under the direction of the Entomologist of
the United States Agricultural Department, was begun in February,
1888, to determine the migration and life history of the Anguillula, as
well as to investigate the effect of various insecticides. That these are
not complete and conclusive, is owing to the extreme difficulty of trac-
ing any individual worm by reason of its size and its surroundings.
A quantity of both ordinary sandy soil and clay was heated several
hours to a temperature of 409° F.
A number of 6-inch earthen pots were also subjected to the same
heat. The earth and the pots were tested for living Anguillulee and
found sterile.
(1) Four sterile pots with 74, cubic foot of sterile soil in each pot.
(2) Same as No.1, using sterile clay instead of surface soil.
(3) As No.1, using yellow subsoil from infected locations.
(4) As No. 3, using clay subsoil from infected locations.
(5) As No.1, using infected surface soil from infected locations.
In each pot were planted four seeds of the Cow-pea (Dolichos), selected
because of its ease in germinating and great susceptibility to the An-
guillula.
All came up within the week and grew fairly well; at the end of each
week one plant was removed and the roots examined.
In Nos. Land 2 no knots were visible at any stage of growth and the
last plant grew to maturity.
In Nos. 3 and 4 the plants were but slightly affected, and at the end
of the fourth week each remaining plant had made a fair growth, de-
spite the terminal roots were becoming enlarged.
In No. 5 half the plants died before the appearance of the third leaf,
and the remainder made a sickly, feeble growth. The roots were badly
knotted, decay in every case appearing at the terminal ends of the root-
lets, which turned brown and dropped off at the slightest touch.
I repeated this series of experiments, using small seedling peach trees
in place of the cow-peas. The results were similar—the trees in Nos, 1
16
and 2 growing vigorously, with fully developed roots and leaves; in
No. 3, at the end of four months the trees were living, but feebly, and
the roots showed signs of decay.
In No. 4 the trees had grown somewhat better and had a_ brighter
color, but the roots were knotty.
No. 5 showed poorly, leaves smaller, roots quite knotty, and one tree
dead.
The same results followed using the Weeping Willow as the test
plant.
The inferences are: That the Anguillula is destroyed by a heat of
212°; that healthy trees set in infected soil soon are invaded by the
free Angnillula in the soil; that soil taken from the depth of 2 or more
feet below the surface is comparatively free from the worms, and that
clay subsoil is less infected than the sand.
Another series of experiments testing the effect of various chemicals,
fertilizers, and insecticides was tried, using four sterilized pots in each
test, the pots each containing 735 cubic foot of infected sandy soil, and
oughly mixed or dissolved. In each pot was planted a seedling peach
and four cow-peas.
No. 6, Tobacco dust.
7. Tobacco dust with 24 grains sulphate potash.
8. Tobacco dust with 24 grains sulphide potash.
9. Tobacco dust with 24 grains sulphite potash.
10. Tobacco dust with 24 grains muriate potash.
11. Tobacco dust with 24 grains hyposulphite soda,
12. Tobacco dust with 24 grains sulphate iron.
13. Tobacco dust with 24 grains caustic lime.
14. Tobacco dust with 24 grains unleached ashes.
15. Tobacco dust with 24 grains sulphur.
16. Bisulphide carbon.
17. Sulphate potash.
18. Muriate potash.
19. Unleached ashes.
20. Caustic lime.
These experiments were also repeated in the nursery and open field
on small peach trees, using 602 grains to each tree, equivalent to zoo
part by weight of the soil. (Note 6.)
In the pots the results in Nos. 6, 7,10, 13, and 14 were very encour:
aging; the peas grew to maturity, with good color and very few en-
larged roots. Nos. 8, 9, 11, and 15 made a very poor growth, and died
soon after the third leaf. No. 12 died immediately after sprouting, as
did No. 16. Nos. 17, 18, and 19 grew nearly as well as Nos. 6 and7;
No. 20 made a fine growth, with very few enlarged roots. The peach
trees died soon in Nos. &, 9,11, 12, 15, and 16, made a fair growth in Nos.
6, 7,10, 13, and 14, were killed at once in No. 16, and grew the best in
Nos. 17, 18, 19, and 20.
In the field Nos. 11, 16, and 8 appeared to at once kill the trees. Nos.
Lar
9Yand 15 had no effect visible. Nos. 6,7, 10, and 14 made a better
growth than Nos. 17-20. Root-knot was present on all but Nos. 13,
14, and 20.
On still larger trees, applied at the rate of 27 pounds to the tree, Nos.
6, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, and Z0 gave good results, especially 6 and 17, 6 and
18,6 and 19. These mixtures seemed to promote a vigorous growth of
healthy roots, and Nos. 6 and 20, each 27 pounds to the tree, well mixed
with the surface soil, appears to be as near a preventive of the “ knot”
as anything I have tried.
Itried the bisulphide of carbon without any effect other than the death
of the trees, some fifty or more, and the kerosene emulsion to saturation
of the surface soil produced asimilar result, and in view of the expense
and labor involved I did not repeat the experiment. (Note 7.)
A number of the prepared artificial fertilizers were tried; those con-
taining ammonia, guano, bone, and fish produced a rapid growth, soft
and easily attacked by the Anguillule.
In a field near my place, heavily fertilized with a bone and potash
compound, the roots of the pea-nut became masses of knotty roots, the
worst cases of the disease I ever saw, and peach-trees growing ib that
field are ruined.
I have found nothing of value when applied to old bearing fruit trees,
if badly affected, as any insecticide capable of absorption by the roots
invariably has killed the trees when used to the amount of ;35 the
weight of the surface soil, 1 foot in depth and the area of the circle
filled by the roots. Alkaline mixtures, 20 to 40 pounds to each tree, or
caustic lime, kainite, muriate and sulphate potash or wood ashes, used
several years in succession, have come nearest a cure, destroying no
doubt many free worms, and inducing a vigorous, tough growth of roots,
more difficult of penetration, and possibly rendering the sap in some
way obnoxious. (Note 8.)
The addition of tobacco dust in large quantities supplies nitrogen,
and makes a very vigorous growth of roots and limbs. It also seems to
have considerable preventive effect on the worms. Experiments con-
ducted by one of our market gardeners has convinced him that the
mixture of tobacco dust and muriate of potash in old fields in great
measure prevents the ravages of the Anguillula in Okra, Cabbage, and
Weg-plant, and he has adopted this as a standard fertilizer for all his
products. I have seen his use of this, and am nearly prepared to sus-
tain his views. Kainite is no doubt fully as good, but further experi-
menting 1s necessary.
Another series of experiments was made upon plants to determine
the time and degree of infection.
No. 21. Sterilized pots with ;3, cubic foot of sterile soil, in which four
cow-peas were planted at various depths, one-half inch, three-fourths
inch, and 1 inch, were covered 1 inch with infected earth and kept wa-
tered. The results showed infection of the roots in about the same ra-
23495—Bull. 20
9
od
18
tio as the distance from the surface. Reversing the process, putting the.
infected soil below, showed the roots affected soonest in the peas planted
deepest, indicating but little action in the worms outside of that pro-
duced by the percolation of water.
No. 22. Another series of pots were watered with muddy water from
infected earth, and though the pots contained sterilized soil the roots —
of the peas were badly affected. Microscopic investigation of the per-
colate showed both free and encysted Anguillulie. (Note 9.)
No. 23. Pots with sterile soil had one transplanted infected peach
seedling in each, and four cow-peas.
The trees soon died, and very shortly afterward the peas showed the
infection, those nearest the dead peach roots the most markedly.
In aspot of new and non-infected ground several trees, Peach and Fig,
were planted. ‘The central tree was knotty-rooted and died in a few
mouths; the next year the roots of the nearest trees, 15 feet away, became
knotty nearest the dead tree, and now, after the lapse of four years,
the disease extends to the tips of the roots of all the Fig and Peach trees
in a circle 120 feet distant each way from the original infected tree.
In another case, in a nursery on high pine land, clay subsoil and free
from disease, a number of peach roots, badly knotted, were brought
from a distance and heeled in for a week. The disease spread in all di-
rections from this nucleus.
Again, in another peach nursery was a spot of low, damp, black soil.
There was no root-knot the first year it was planted in peaches; the
seedlings grew well. The second year, a few trees were found in this
spot with enlarged roots and destroyed. The third year, hardly a tree
escaped, the disease extending along the thickly set rows of seedlings
upward and in all directions on to the higher land from the hollow spot
first infected.
In another case, clean fibrous-rooted trees were heeled in a day or so
and planted in non-infected ground. The next year proved the most of
them diseased.
These cases prove conclusively that in areas not infected the disease
can be easily introduced (1) by planting infected trees; (2) by the use
of composts of muck and weeds from infected soils; (3) by the distribu-
tive action of water and air, the water carrying particles of soil and
worms downward from an infected elevation, or by dry soil, frag-
ments of dry roots, desiccated free or encysted worms carried in the air
during sand-storms, whirlwinds, or the heavy currents of air preceding
storms that often blow ‘“ bare” acres of plowed land and overwhelm ad-
jacent fields with the soil thus borne on the wind; (4) soil containing
these worms I have no doubt has been carried on the feet of men and
animals and deposited in healthy fields, forming the nucleus of a de-
structive agency, months afterward made visible by its effects.
Instances are not wanting that can not be explained except by some
such theory of contagion and manner of travel,
de)
REMEDIES.
1. DRAINAGE.
Many gardens and orchards are badly located on soils partly satu-
rated with water, either at the margins of rivers or lakes or on rich de-
posits of vegetable remains both low and damp.
The reasons for this choice are generally the superior quality of the
jand and the rapidity of growth induced by the moisture, but in the
territory infected by the Anguillula the heat and rich soil cause precisely
the looseness of tissue so favorable to the spread of the worms.
A dry soil, with solid root-growth, is on the contrary unfavorable;
hence in many locations drainage has entirely changed the character of
the land, so that peaches and figs grow where they would not before.
Experiments in Texas confirm this fully and suggest the utility of
thorough drainage of wet locations, or, better yet, the avoidance of such
places for groves and gardens.
In this connection it may be remarked as one of the not expected
results of the *‘ New Agriculture” in maintaining a permanently damp
soil by means of water-pipes below the surface, that when it is in vogue
we will have not only a great increase of crops but a greater increase
of “ root-knot” in the cabbages, beets, radishes, ete., thus grown. What
effect the ingestion of Anguillulz will have upon the human economy
remains to be seen; as, So far as I know, no record occurs of experiments
having been tried to ascertain. (Note 10.)
2. FROST.
In many places north of 29° there is cold enough each year to at
times freeze the surface a considerable depth. Where this occurs, by
plowing the soil at the beginning of winter and at times during that
Season, it is reasonable to suppose great destruction of the free Anguil-
lulze will ensue.
3. FIRE.
The value of heat in the destruction of the germs of the root-knot
has been often demonstrated in Florida, usually unwittingly, and the
lesson taught has been in a measure lost.
In clearing old fields, badly infected with the worms, as shown by the
crops of cotton or peas, it is customary to burn log-heaps and stumps;
if, then, peaches and figs have been planted on this burned land the
result has been freedom from root-knot for a series of years.
Such trees make a vigorous growth and bear well, while adjacent
trees, not on burned ground, wither and die.
It would seem practicable in this wooded section to easily build small
compact heaps of chips, wood, pine knots, even dry weeds and grass,
over the area of say 2 feet radius from each tree-stake prior to plant:
20
ing, burn the heap to ashes, excavate the soil as far as heated, and re.
new the fire till the subsoil is reached and the depth of at least a foot
of soil in all is thoroughly sterilized by heat
In many cases, where wood is plenty, dead standing timber to be
removed, and stumps to be burned, the plan would succeed to stake
out the field and build a log-heap at each stake; but if not convenient,
the annual growth of weeds and grasses, well dried, will furnish fuel
enough.
4. STERILE Sorts. (Note 11.)
Among the early settlers of Florida the practice prevailed, when
planting trees, of digging out the soil te the depth of 2 or more feet
and filling in around the tree with clay or yellow subsoil obtained from
virgin land and 3 or more feet below the surface. This plan succeeded,
in that it surrounded the tree with sterile soil till it formed firm roots
and a hardened epidermis.
My investigations show that in infected soils the deep roots are but
slightly affected in comparison with those near the surface, and that
the greatest destruction prevails in young trees, nursery stock, and
plants having surface roots.
If a tree acquires age and the roots reach deep subsoil, the Anguil-
lule do little damage. Hence the utility of using clay or SANSA derived
from virgin forest, around newly-set trees.
This old plan deserves attention and can be recommended; but since
the war, in their haste to promote the growth of groves and gardens,
the later horticulturists reverse this method, imbed the young tree in
surface soil, and use nitrogenous fertilizers to encourage rapid develop-
ment, this certainly causes increase of the root-knot.
5. DISUSE OF LAND.
Keeping land clean, free from all growth for two or more years, has
proved of great benefit if done before trees are planted. I believe the
worms require living tissues to develop in, and deprived of this they
would die, probably within the limit I have given.
In many places where the soil has not been cultivated for a long
series of years, and the Broom Sedge Grass has exterminated all other
weeds, I have failed to find any traces of the Anguiilula, and I regard
this as confirmatory proof that disuse of land prevents the root-knot,
6. DISUSE OF EasILy INFECTED CROPS.
In most of our Southern States, where the Clovers and Buckwheat
will not prosper, it has been the almost universal custom to substitute
the Cow-pea as a soil-renovator. Drilled or broadcast it is the great
crop for “laying by” corn, and as a second or third crop after rice,
oats, or market garden. Very few groves or orchards but have annu-
ally from one to three crops of pea-vines plowed in for fertilizing.
21
Again, as a “ first crop,” after clearing off the timber, it is in general
use for new land. Few plants are so sensitive to the attacks of the
Anguillula, and few have roots so badly infected with these worms, and
this common custom of planting the Cow-pea is mentioned only to be
condemned, as, if continued, in time all groves and gardens in these
sandy soils will be failures.
The Lespedeza striata (Japan Clover), Desmodium molle (Beggar
Weed), and Richardsonia seabra (Mexican Clover), will prove fine sub-
stitutes for the Cow-pea as forage and fertilizer. If the Cow-pea must
be grown, keep it away from garden and orchard, and at planting time
use large quantities of some strong alkaline fertilizer on the soil. The
economical habit of planting market gardens in orchards should be dis-
couraged.
It is easy to see the reason and the danger from the use of ammo-
niaeal fertilizers so necessary to induce rapid growth of vegetables, and
the spread of the Anguillule from the roots of the Melons, Cucumbers,
ete., to the trees. Many instances of this sort can be seen over the
South, and should serve as warning to our horticulturists in the fature.
I believe that in badly infeeted grounds some relief could be given
by drilling the Cow-pea, and, when in bloom, cutting off the stems for
forage; then to plow and carefully rake up the roots in piles for burn-
ing when dry enough. This method of destroying the infected roots of
Okra, Melons, ete., and the roots of the Chenopodium, etc., would no
doubt be of great value in small areas, and even ip larger fields, by
the aid of improved machinery for gathering the roots.
It needs only the mention that planting of trees from infected local-
ities should be avoided; even those not liable to the disease themselves
may carry soil containing Anguilluiz among the roots.
I have noted that the Peach and Fig obtained from Northern nur-
series seem extremely easy to take the disease, far more so than the
native stocks. I only mention the fact, but have not ascertained tie
reason.
7. INSECT ENEMIES.
I have found but one, the small blackish-brown ant that inhabits rot-
ten wood and decaying roots—very common in this section—the Sole-
nopsis xyloni.
This, when the roots of the Okra, Pea, etc., begin to decay, burrows
into the tissues and drags out the pregnant Anguillule for destruction.
I was puzzled at first to find the dead roots of the Okra, Melon, Peach,
and Fig free from cysts or pregnant worms, though in partially rotting
enlargements [ found plenty of Anguillula.
Closer and extended examination showed this ant in the act of de-
vouring the enlarged worms, and its service to the orechardist is be-
yond value in this respect.
Inasmuch as a dry soil is favorable to ant life, it will be readily seen
how drainage is useful in aiding the propagation of this tiny destroyer.
22
Upon crushing a mature, pregnant worm various forms of micrococci
are visible by the microscope as existing within the Anguillula, evi-
dently not hurtful, and when seen exterior to the worm seem not preju-
dicial to its life; but more study is needed on this point.
8. USE OF VERMICIDE FERTILIZERS.
Experiments looking to the adoption of some mixtures capable of de-
stroying the worms while in the root tissues have not proved a success.
The use of smaller quantities per acre than one-tenth of 1 per cent. of
the surface soil for 1 foot in depth and 10 feet radius to each tree—
about a ton to the acre—produced no perceptible effect on the disease,
and a greater amount injured the trees.
The use of bisulphide carbon, kerosene emulsion, and various arsen-
ical solutions destroyed so great a percentage of the trees that on that
account, and the expense of application, it was abandoned.
Alkaline mixtures have done better, and will bear repetition, espe-
cially the sulphites and muriates.
For nursery stock, it no doubt will pay to thoroughly incorporate
some of these chemicals with the soil some weeks before planting seeds,
cions, or young trees, using it at the rate of at least one-tenth of 1 per
cent. of the surface soil cultivated.
Alkaline fertilizers, as hard-wood ashes, muriate and sulphate of pot-
ash, kainite, or ash element produce a hard growth but little, if any,
affected by the root-knot. Usually the fertilizer is applied in too small
a quantity. Not less than 3,000 pounds to the acre should be used to
produce the required effect, one-half in December, the remainder in
May.
A fertilizer containing a small percentage of carbolic acid, carbolates,
thymol-cresol, or an easily decomposed sulphite would no doubt be valu-
able in this infected section.
9, NON-INFECTED STOCKS.
After all, I believe the use of trees that are not susceptible to the
root-knot, for stocks on which to graft or bud the susceptible varieties
is the proper solution of the root-knot problem. The matter of location,
soil, fertilizer, and prevention then need not worry the intending or-
chardist. Find the disease-proof tree and the thing is done, and most
of my experiments have been directed to secure in some measure this
result.
It is, perhaps, too soon to say that complete success has been realized,
but the gain is perceptible.
For the Orange I can recommend the hardy bitter-sweet or sour
species as nearly disease-proof and a vigorous grower.
The Citrus trifoliata and the Japanese “ Unshiu,” or Satsuma, both
seem resistant, but the time of trial has been too short. This last is a
slow grower, with dense roots, and promises to be the best of any of the
23
. Citrus family. Its hardiness, freedom from thorns, and vigor recom.
mend it.
Grapes of the Vinifera type as well as those of the “stivalis group are
subject to the root-knot, if grown on their own roots, but grafted into
stocks of the Cordifolia or Vulpina races have made superb growths
free of the disease.
I have found no stock for Fig or Mulberry that has stood the test.
For the Peach family either the seedlings of the Wild Goose Plum,
the Marianna, or the recently introduced Japanese Plums, Kelsey, Sat-
suma, or Ogru, are valuable. Three years’ test of the Marianna prove
that for that time, at least, the roots resisted the Anguillula and were
free from knots. When the peach died the Myrobolan was infected
slightly, and even the native plums suffered with the disease. It is too
soon to give an unqualified approval of this as a stock, but so far it is
the very best, growing from cuttings and very rapidly, making a tree
that is nearly borer-proof as well as free from the Anguillule.
Some seedlings of our American Plums are destined to replace the
Peach as a stock, unless the Japanese varieties prove superior.
I have found nothing of value for the English Walnut as a stock, nor
for the Weeping Willow.
I have indicated the probable line of action to mitigate or prevent the
disease in gardens—the use of alkaline fertilizers, the exposure to frost,
the gathering of diseased roots to burn, the removal of certain weeds,
and the disuse of land and cow peas.
EXTENT OF DESTRUCTIVE EFFECTS OF THE DISEASE.
Within the district infected by the Anguillula it would be well nigh
an impossibility to give even an approximate idea of the losses sus-
tained each year by the farmer, the gardener, and the horticulturist
from the ravages of this worm.
All over the southern section of the United States hundreds of market
gardens have been planted at an immense outlay of time and money, only
to have the fields of vegetables blighted from this mysterious trouble, as
if scorched by fire or frost. Thousands of trees have been planted only
to dwindle away and die; and, as the defect has been usually ascribed
to the fertilizer or the climate, the injury has been enormous, while the
real cause has not been suspected, and, as far as I know, no effort made
to ascertain aremedy. The Orange is slightly affected now, but in the
future, when the soil will be filled with cysts and worms, Urange trees
will be as uncertain, I fear, as the Peach or Fig at the present time.
From the best testimony I can get, in the early days of the white im-
migration, except in damp locations, peaches grew without any disease,
save the “Borer.” Now, in many places, the trees that do well are the
exception, and in these locations it is idle waste of time, labor, trees, and
fertilizers to attempt the culture of an orchard.
In such infected spots the usual program is to apply some costly
24
ammoniacal manure to the land, cultivate early vegetables between the
trees; then, after that crop is removed, sow the land in cow-peas. The
result is bewildering. Next year the unfortunate planter is discouraged
to find many of the trees dying back, the vegetable crop with knotty
roots and irregular fruit.
Another heavy fertilizing, another crop of peas, and that spot is done
for. The disgusted farmer tries another vocation, and gives over the
place to weeds and desolation.
With young, closely-set rows of trees the disease causes greatest dam-
age, spreading rapidly from tree to tree.
In market gardens, especially the Tomato, Cucumber, Melon, and
Squash, the Anguillula often either destroys the plants before fruiting
or reduces the size of the fruit till it fails to pay expenses.
A number of disastrous failures with gardens, that have come to iny
notice, no doubt resulted from this cause.
LIFE HISTORY OF THE ANGUILLULA.
The study of this microscopic worm has been exceedingly difficult,
and many points in its history are not yet fully ascertained.
The limit of its existence, periods of growth, sexual characteristics,
generation, variation of form, and the precise action ocecasioning the
abnormal growth in roots, are all undetermined questions which wiil
take a long continued series of observations to solve. (Note 12.)
As first observed, a mass of cells appears within the uterine cornua,
cells averaging soto inch in diameter, arranged in bands from 55259
to z5é50 inch in width, reaching across to the walls of the uterus.
(Plate XX, A, B.) These bands appear at the smaller end of the uterus,
beginning from ToveD to 10000 inch from the free extremities, extend-
jing downward 7,%5 to 77385 inch. Lower down, these cells show a ten-
dency to aggregate into irregular masses ee 225 LB, C), then into
ovate forms, eventually becoming ovals ;>8o9 by 72549 inch.
At first these cysts have no epidermis, but a thin coating appears
and thickens as they approach the normal size of 7,355 inch in length
and +55 inch in width. (Plate XX, D, 2.)
During the life of the female the cysts form rapidly, until the whole
uterus becomes enormously enlarged, and contains cysts in every stage,
from the primary agglomeration of cells to free Anguillule. (Plates
XIX and XVIII.)
The decay of the environing root exposes the pregnant female to
changes in weather, and with a slight increase in heat the contraction
of the exterior expels the contents of the uterus and disperses them.
This in most cases appears to be through the upper segment, though
often it occurs through the fissure in the head. (Plate XIX.)
The cyst at first is a solid mass of granular cells. (Plates IX, 1, and
X,1.) It divides centrally at the shorter axis (Plates IX, 2, 3; X, 2,
26,4); each half repeats this process till four or five segments are visible:
A longitudinal fissure then appears, causing eight segments (Plates
25
IX, 6,7; and X, 15, 16,18); the walls of the segments are absorbed
each side the central long fissure (Plate IX, 8, 10, 15, 16,17, 18), which
extends to the margin of the cyst in one direction, and upon separation
at that end motion begins, and the Anguillula awakes to life and ae-
tion. (Plates IX, 17, 18; and XI, 1.)
sale eruwth within the cyst continues till the worm attains a length
of ;43$5 inch or more, and a central diameter of 5355 inch; the cyst
ruptures, the worm is free (Plate XI, 2, 3, 7), leaving the ae shell
shrunken and torn. (Plate XI, 4, 4a.)
Up to this point I have failed to discriminate the sexes. Both ue
blunt at one end, which is marked with a fissure ;5¢55 inch to 75855
inch in length, often with a circular hinge-like termination (Plate XII,
eG da, Ga, Ta, and XIII, la, 2a, 3a) extending into a tortuous channel
tosvoo inch in diameter and averaging >;%> inch in length; then the
remainder of the worm becomes a mass Of cells of various sizes to within
7s inch or 7205 Ich of the extremity or tail.
These cells at times appear with a sinuous channel clear from either
end (Plate XI, 4), or with breaks in their continuity (Plate XI, 2, 3), 0
granular masses interspersed (Plates XII, 6,7, and XIV, 1,2), or as
fine cells irregnlarly arranged. (Plate XIII, 1, 2,3.) Occasionally the
whole interior appears as a solid mass of cells. (Plate XII, 6.)
I have not discovered the method of impregnation, but at an early
period rapid changes in shape begin in the female. (Plates XVI, 2 to
15; XVII,1 to9; XIV; XV; and XII, 5,6, 7,8.) The enlargement is
preceded by the formation in both upper and lower thirds of the body
of dark masses of cells that eventually unite (Plates XIV, 3, A, B; 4,
5, A, B, OC, and 6; XV, 2,3), then by the time the worm reaches the
age represented in Plate XVI, 11, 12; Plate X VI, 3,4, become changed
into a bicornate ovarium or uteras, which at full term attains the length
of 2'%> Inch in many coils, and contains one hundred and fifty or one
hundred and sixty full-sized cysts.
The shapes and sizes of these pregnant females vary greatly, and I
believe are the result of the environment. In soft tissues of the Cow-
pea, Radish, and the like rapidly-growing plants they attain a transverse
diameter of 3605 inch, and a length of ;3$°, inch. The tail is reduced
to a short spine (Plates XTV, 3; and XV, 2, 3), which disappears later
on, as the worm approaches the transverse diameter of ;35°, inch.
(Plate XVII, 3, 4.)
The thickness of the exterior wall varies from 5255 inch at the
lower part of the body to ;5}o5 inch at the vertex, and is exceedingly
tough and resistant. In color it appears yellowish by transmitted light,
but a brilliant white by reflected light. When fully developed, it is
partly transparent, showing the coils of the uterus with its eysts. The
exterior is granular or corrugated, especially near the “head” (Plates
XIV, 6,and XTX), and with an apparently radiate arrangement of cells
from acenter near the tail, er perhaps marking the disappearance of
that appendage. (Plate X XI.)
» 26
The head varies from a form like Plates XVII, 3, 4, 7,9, and XVI, 9,
12, 13, 14, to that shown by Plates XVI, 10, 11,.15; XVII, 2, 5,°8,-and
XVIII, the neck from a mere contraction of the body, Plates X VII, 6,
and XVI, 15, to a long tube, as in Plates XVI, 14, and XVII, 9.
The body varies from almost a globe (Plate XVI, 9,13) to an oval
(Plate XVI, 14; XVII, 9), or nearly a cylinder. (Plate XVI, 15.)
The worms found in woody tissue are usually of the forms of Plates
XVI, 10, 11, and XVII, 5, 8; in soft tissues like Plates XVI, 14, and
XVII, 7, 9, but Iam unable to understand the reason of this variation,
In roots, as a rule, the bodies radiate from the central axis of the
root, with the ‘‘ heads” to the axis.
When once enlargement of the body begins, the worm becomes a fix-
ture, and remains incapable of progression in any direction; the en-
largement is gradual and the cells of the root tissues become smaller
by the pressure, forming a rigid wall on every side of the worm.
How long the worm exists is an unsolved problem which I hope to
solve in time.
Apart from vegetable tissues, J have noted signs of life in the An-
guillula after being kept air-dry six months, but have no record of any
reliable experiments with the worms in the roots; but the vitality is
very great.
When motion is first perceived in the cyst, the worm is an average
of ;34°, inch in length and ;5355 extreme thickness ; soon after it be-
comes free it enlarges and lengthens till it casts its skin, which it does
as Shown in Plate XI, 5, leaving the old skin shrunken as at 6, same
plate; a fragmentary cast is seen on Plate XII, 1, but I have not de-
termined the number of times in its life it sheds the skin, as it is rare
to find a perfect cast for measurement.
Among the thousandsof Anguiilule I have examined, therearea great
many variations and arrangements of cells that are not easily explainable.
Plates XV, XIII, and XII, 5, 8, 7, 6, exemplify some of the most marked.
Plate XIII, 2, 3, is very singular; a cyst-like form, with segments.
Also at 3, a peculiar arrangement of cells, large and small; in fact, I
have never found two worms exactly similar in the grouping of cells;
the resemblance is general, but with wide variation of details. The ex-
amples given in the plates justify this conclusion, sketched as they were
from living specimens.
The arrangement of the cysts in the uterus is generally as shown by
Plates XVIII, XTX, and XX, though that often becomes changed, as
indicated in Plate X XI. (Note 13.)
In mature and apparently aged worms, I have found as many as a
dozen free worms within the uterus, having attained motion and liber-
ation there.
In plates showing the changes in vegetable tissues, ‘“A” refers to the
enlargements and nests of Anguillula, “‘B” to spots of decay.
27
NOTES.
NoTE 1.—Owing to a lack of literature on the subject, I have provisionally named
this worm Anguillula arenaria, but it may belong to a different genus. If an Anguil-
lula, it is very near the A. brevispinosus, but as the spine disappears in mature forms,
I have called this A. arenaria.
Notr 2.—This information came from one of the oldest citizens, who learned of it
from the Spanish residents in 1820.
Notr 3.—Letters received from correspondents at nearly every important town gave
the data.
Notr 4.--Messrs. Berckmans, Onderdonk, Munson, and Stelle are referred to.
Notre 5.—I kept fully developed pregnant females ina watch glass dry for six months,
and when wet, they expanded, and the grown worms within the cysts in the uterus
resumed motion.
Note 6.—The average weight of acubic foot of ordinary sandy surtace soil is 6,602,625
grains, equal to 86.08 pounds ayoirdupois; this at the temperature of 70°, the soil
being air-dry.
Nore 7.—The quantity required to saturate a cubic foot was 2.3 gallons of the kero-
sene emulsion.
Note 8.—The amount of lime used was 20 pounds to the tree, forty-nine trees to the
acre.
Notre 9.—Water poured upon the pots percolated through the soil and out at the
hole in the bottom of the pot. This was allowed to evaporate considerably and exain-
ined with magnifier 350 diameters, eye-piece B, objective one-half inch.
Notre 10.—Radishes and turnips are very susceptible to the Anguillula. (See Plate
III, drawn from actual specimen, natural size. )
Note 11.—A common practice among the ‘‘ old-time ” slaves, who tell me it was the
rule made by the old whites as far back as 1805. The reason they gave was ‘the
peach loves clay and yellow sand.”
NoTE 12.—I could only approximate the growth and development by the use of such
plants as the Cow-pea and Radish—planting seed in infected soil, and at certain dates
pulling up the plants and examining the knots, making a careful sketch, drawn to
scale, each time. Allattempts at cultivating in fluids failed.
Note 13.—By softening the exterior with a solution of caustic potash, snipping off
the head and gently pressing the body in fluid, with a cover glass, the uterus exuded
as shown in Plate XIX.
e)
EXPLANATIONS TO PLATES.
PLATE I.
Roots of Cow Pea, showing enlargements caused by Anguillula: A, enlargement
and nests: B, spots of decay. (Original.)
PLATE II.
Roots of Okra, showing enlargements caused by AnguilluJa: A, enlargements and
nests; B, spots of decay. (Original.)
PLATE III.
Roots of Radish, showing enlargements caused by Anguillula: A, enlargements and
nests; B, spots of decay. (Original.)
PLATE IV.
Roots of Grape [Black Hamburg], showing enlargements caused by Anguillula: A,
enlargements and nests; B,spots of decay. (Original.)
PLATE V.
Roots of Peach, showing enlargements caused by Anguillula. (Original.)
PLATE VI.
Roots of Weeping Willow, showing enlargements caused by Anguillula—natural
size. (Original.)
PLATE VII.
Roots of Fig, showing enlargements caused by Anguillula—natural size. (Orig-
inal.)
PLATE VIII.
1, section of root of Okra, showing enlargements caused by Anguillula; 2, Peach,
same; 3, Grape, same—enlarged four times: 4, Weeping Willow, same—natural size:
A, enlargements and nests; B,spots of decay. (Original.)
PLATE IX.
Reproductive cysts which form in the uterus of the female Anguillula: 1, first
stage, solid mass of granular cells; 2,3,segmentation or division into two parts; 4,
26, 5, 5a, 6, segmentation into four parts; 7, longitudinal fissure appearing, which
causes segmentation into eight parts; 8,9, 10, 11,12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, walls of seg-
ments absorbing each side of the central longitudinal fissure which extends to the
margin of the cyst in one direction, until upon separation at that end motion begins—
greatly enlarged. (Original.)
29
30
PLATE X.
Reproductive cysts (continued) : 1, 1a, first Stage; 2,3, 4, 26, bi-segmentation or di-
vision into two parts; 5, 6,7,8,9, segmentation into four parts; 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 17, 18, segmentation into eight parts—greatly enlarged. (Original, )
1B
LATE XI.
Developed or free Anguillule within the reproductive cysts: 1, free Anguillula
Within cyst not yet broken; 2, 3,7, cyst broken; 4, 4a, empty shell of eyst from which
Anguillule have emerged; 5, young worm casting skin; 6,empty skin cast by young
worm—-greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XII.
Growth of Anguillule: 1, cast skin
bluutness at one end, with fissure hay
of young worm; 2,3, 4,5, 6,7, 8, worms showing
ing a circular, hinge like termination at A, and
granular masses of cells within—greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XIII.
Growth of Anguillulse (continued): 1, 2,3, worms showing masses of fine cells irrecu-
larly arranged within, and fissure at blunt end with circular, hinge-like termination
at A—greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XIV.
Growth of Anguillule and changes
within the female: 1, 2, female worms showing
granular masses within; 3,4, 5,6, changes in shape in the female, preceded by for-
mation in upper and lower thirds of body of dark masses of cells, A, B, C, which
eventually unite—greatly enlarged.
(Original. )
PLATE XV.
Changes within female Anguillule
(continned): 1, 2, 3, enlargements in shape of
the female, with formation of masses of cells at A—greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XVI.
Changes in form of female Anguillule: 1-15, outlines showing changes in form,
from leaving the reproductive cyst until the female is herself filled with cysts, also
showing changes in the form of the h
larged. (Original.)
ead and disappearance of the tail—greatly en-
PLATE XVII.
Changes in form of female Anguillul
#e (continued): 1-9, outlines of changes in form
of body and head, with the disappearance of the tail—greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XVIII.
Gravid female Anguillula, showing
contracted head and neck as in some females,
and the arrangement of cysts in the uterus—greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XIX.
Arrangement of cysts in uterus of fe
male Anguillula and expulsion of young worms ;
through fissure in the head—greatly enlarged. (Original.)
or
PLATE XX.
Arrangement of cysts in uterus of female Anguillula (continued): A-B, cysts a»
ranged in bands reaching across to the walls of the uterus; .B-C, aggregation of cells
into irregular masses within the uterus; C-D, aggregations of cells arranged in two
rows in the uterus; D-E, cysts that have attained the normal size and become coated
with a thin epidermis—greatly enlarged. (Original. )
PLATE XXI.
A changed arrangement of cysts within the uterus of the female Anguillula which
often occurs—greatly enlarged. (Original.)
ie
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Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture,
COW PEA.
PLATE |.
Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agricuiture.
PLATE Il.
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Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture.
PLATE Il.
RADISH.
Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture.
PLATE IV.
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GRAPE.
Vitis Vinifera— Black Hamburg.
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Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture.
PLATE V.
PEACH.
Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture,
WEEPING WILLOW.
Natural size.
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PLATE VII.
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ud Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture.
ps <s a ee PLATE VIII.
PEACH. Section X 4.
GRAPE. Section X 4.
WEEPING WILLOW.
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PAE AIX:
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Bulletin 20, Division of Entomology, Dept. Agriculture.
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\RTMENT OF AGRICULTUR
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BuLuetin No. 21.
i
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
Hee G6
PP o.eePARI MENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 21.
ReBok Chik: |
, rie toc wet hALIA
|
~~ ENEMIES OF THE FLUTED SCALE.
TO INVESTIGATE THE
th BY
7 ALBERT KOEBELE.
( MADE UNDER DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST. )
9-0 0
WASH ENG EON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE,
18.910",
—-
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., November 22, 1889.
Sir: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 21 of
this Division, being the report of Mr. Albert Koebele upon the Fluted
Scale (Icerya purchast Maskell) and its natural enemies in Australia.
I had intended to incorporate it in my forthcoming annual report, but
the limited space alloted to that report makes it necessary to publish
this as a separate bulletin. .
Respectfully,
C2 NV; GLE,
Entomologist.
Hon. J. M. Rusk,
_ Secretary of Agriculture.
INTRODUCTION.
The following report by Mr. Albert Koebele, one of the California
agents of the Division of Entomology, gives an account of his trip to
Australia, made during the late summer and fall of 1888 and the winter
of 188889, under instructions from this Department, for the purpose
of investigating the Australian natural enemies of the Fluted Scale
(Icerya purchasi Maskell) with a view to introducing the most efficient
of them into California.
Failing to secure a specific appropriation from Congress for this pur-
pose, although assisted in the attempt by the California delegation,
and particularly by the Hon. 0. M. Felton, and failing also to secure
the removal of the clause restricting travel to the limits of the United
States, we were led to accomplish the result through the kindness of
the Department of State, in connection with the Melbourne Exposition,
an arrangement having been made whereby two of the salaried agents
of the Division should be temporarily attached to the Commission,
their expenses, outside the United States, to be defrayed by the Com-
mission, within the sum of $2,000. The warm thanks of this Depart-
ment are due to the Department of State for this codperation, and par-
ticularly to the Hon. Frank McCoppin, commissioner-general to the
Exposition, to whom the matter was submitted by the State Department
for approval. Mr. McCoppin at once accepted the proposition, and
upon Mr. Koebele’s arrival in Australia helped him in every way possi-
ble to make the experiment successful.
Mr. Koebele was sent, as just stated, for the specific purpose of study-
ing and importing the natural enemies of the Fluted Scale, while the
other agent, Mr. F. M. Webster, was sent to make a special report to
the Commission on the agricultural features of the Exposition. Mr.
Webster’s report has been sent to the Commission, and was formally
submitted to Mr. McCoppin. A copy of the present report, although
purely entomological, and having little relation tothe Exposition proper,
has also been transmitted to Mr. McCoppin,,as the results of the mis-
sion are, and ever will be, connected with his exposition work.
-While a number of other entomological matters are referred to in the
report, Mr. Koebele never lost sight of the main object of his mission.
How successful it has proved late reports already published in INSECT
5
6
LIFE, and elsewhere, have abundantly testified. They have more than
justified the anticipations expressed in my last annual report:
We fully expect to learn of the increase and rapid spread of this new in troduction
as well as some of the other predaceous species which have been introduced, and to
find that in a comparatively tew years thie orange groves of southern California will
be kept measurably freed of the pernicious Fluted Scale without so great an effort on
the part of the growers or so great expense in destroying it. That nature will, with
the new conditions induced by these importations, come to the relief of the fruit-
grower, and that this interesting experiment will result in the ultimate saving of
untold millions to the people of the Pacific Coast is our sincere belief which we hope
to see verified. Not that we expect the Icerya to be ever entirely exterminated ;
but it will be kept under subjection so as to be comparatively harmless, as it is in its
native country. :
One of the insects imported, viz, the Cardinal Vedalia (Vedalia cardi-
nalis Mulsant), has multiplied and increased to such an extent as to rid
many of the orange groves from Icerya and to promise immunity in the
near future for the entire State of California. In fact, the rapid multi-
plication and the effective work of this little beetle are almost incom-
prehensible until we come to consider its power of increase in a climate
like that of southern California, where there is scarcely any cessation in
its activities.
A careful account of the transformations of the Vedalia has been pre-
pared by Mr. Coquillett and was published in INsEcT LIFE for Sep-
tember, 1889, pages 70 to 74. I reproduce the figures in connection with
Mr. Koebele’s report in order to familiarize those who have not yet seen
it with its appearance. I have also had some other figures made to ac-
company the report.
The period from the laying of the eggs until the adults again appear
occupies less than thirty days for the Vedalia. At this rate of increase,
calculating that three hundred eggs are laid by each female, and that
one half of these produce females, it will readily be seen that in six
months the offspring of a single female beetle may under favorable cir-
cumstances amount to over twenty-two trillions. So far it has not been
noticed to prey upon any other insect than the Fluted Scale, a fact which
accounts somewhat for its exceptionally rapid work and renders the
outlook extremely encouraging.
Uf the other enemies of the Icerya referred to and more particularly
mentioned in the latter part of Mr. Koebele’s report, none of them have
so far given much promise, and there is risk of their not being colonized
by virtue of the extraordinary spread and increase of the Vedalia,
which has swept away from whole regions the Fluted Scale, upon which
they depend. This contingency should have been avoided and I very
much regret that they have not become established in California, be-
cause their establishment, and especially that of the little Dipteron,
Cryptochetum icerye, wotld have helped in the general subjection of
the pest and would be particularly valuable whenever the Vedalia, for
whatever reason, at any time practically forsakes a given locality.
C. V. R.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
ALAMEDA, CAL., July 17, 1889
Str: i herewith submit my report upon the study of I. erya purchasi in
Australia and New Zealand and the introduction of its parasites and
enemies into California, undertaken under your direction and in ac-
cordance with your letter of instructions. *
Respectfully yours,
ALBERT KOEBELE,
Special Agent.
Prof. V.C. RILEY,
U. S. Entomologist.
*The following is extracted from the letter of instractions:
WASHINGTON, July 3, 1888.
As you are already aware you are sent to Australia for the purpose of mak-
ing an investigation of the parasites and other natural enemies of Icerya purchasi
with a view of introducing them into California, It will he necessary for you to go to
Adelaide to see Mr. Frazer 8, Crawford, who sent over the first Dipterous parasites
and the Celostomas (or rather Monophlebus crawfordi). This Dipterous parasi‘e has
been named by Dr. Willsiton Lestophonus icerye, and at Adelaide you will probably
be able to study this insect carefully. Make the most careful investigations where
you can learn of the occurrence of Jcerya and find all of its natural enemies in Austra-
lia. Find out also the periods at which these parasites oviposit and ascertain the
season at which success in importation will be most likely with each and all of them.
Once on the ground you can see for yourself just what will be necessary to be done in
order to bring about this result. You should also endeavor to place the Department
in correspondence with as many observers as you can interest in the subject, and
should by all means endeavor to get at least one man who will be able to devote some
time to the matter and continue observations after you leave. It is barely possible
that we may be able to re-imburse some such person for the time expended, but for
this I will write you later, if indeed I do not see you personally in Australia in No-
vember. You will, of course, inquire immediately upon arriving in Melbourne concern-
ing the largest orange-growing districts in Australia, and also make inquiries as to the
best places for observing Icerya, aside from Adelaide. If you will visit the Botanic
Gardens in Melbourne you will be able to get some information there. Baron von
Mueller, formerly director of the Botanic Gardens, is still a resident of that city and
you will find him a very well-informed person to consult. I inclose you letters of in-
troduction both to Mr. Crawford and Baron von Mueller. * * *
On this trip your salary will be paid as usual by this Department, but your ex-
penses by the Department of State through Mr. McCoppin. * * *
* * ¥
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REPORT OF THE FLUTED SCALE OF THE ORANGE AND ITS
NATURAL ENEMIES IN AUSTRALIA,
By ALBERT KOEBELE.
In accordance with the commission received from the Hon. Norman
J. Colman, United States Commissioner of Agriculture, and your letter
of July 3, 1888, I left San Francisco on August 25, and arrived at Auck-
land, New Zealand, on September 14, where some hours were spentin get-
ting information in regard to Icerya. I visited Mr. W. Will, editor of
the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Weekly News, who then, and
subsequently on my later visit, gave me valuable information in regard
to the occurrence and disappearance of Icerya in the Auckland districts,
as well as many other points of interest in horticulture ; and also Mr. T.
F. Cheeseman, curator of the Auckland Museum, who readily accom-
panied me to a place full of Albizzia (Acacia) lophantha, Bentham, which
had been about three years previously completely covered with Icerya.
I made a careful search for specimens on these trees, yet only four full-
grown females with large egg-sacs could be found. On one of the scales
two rather large mites were feeding, attached to the under side; and the
masses of old and moldy remains of Icerya were still visible on the
trunks of trees.
A residence on which formerly were many orange trees was also vis-
ited. ‘There all of the trees had been cut down on account of the num-
erous scales, and at the time of my visit no Icerya could be found and
none were observed during the year as the proprietors informed me.
No one was able to state the exact reason of the disappearance of the
scales; some disease was the supposed cause.
The steamer left Auckland the following day and arrived in Sydney,
New South Wales, September 20. I remained there for four days in
search of Icerya. On my first walk a number of them were discovered
at the town hall premises, infesting a Pittosporum (P. wndulatum), and
the succeeding days a few more were found in one of the public parks,
also on this Pittosporum. A large isolated acacia tree full of the scales
was found in front of a private house in the eastern part of Sydney;
all were full-grown females with more or less developed egg-saes and ap-
9
10
parently in a healthy condition. As the trees infested were all inclosed,
no proper examination could be made and the few obtained at the town
hall showed no trace of parasites. A trip was also made to Parramatta,
about 14 miles to the west of Sydney, to look into some of the orange
orchards. Ifound nearly all the trees badly infested with the red-scale
(Aspidiotus aurantit Maskell, Fig. 1), and still worse with what I con-
Fig. 1.—Aspidiotus aurantii Maskell: 1, seales on leaf of orange, natural size; la, adult male; 10,
seales of female; le, scale of nale—enlarged (after Comstock).
sidered to be Mytilaspis gloverii Packard.* Indeed, some of tbe trees
are completely covered by this latter scale, having the appearance of
an old coat of whitewash on the bark which had partly fallen off. None
of the several orange-growers there visited had ever seen an Icerya or
was familiar with the insect. I left Sydney on the 24th and arrived in
Melbourne the following day, having in the meantime, through the
kindness of the United States consul, obtained a free pass over the New
South Wales Railway, which courtesy was shown me by all the colonies
subsequently visited. Indeed, I can not speak too highly of the kind-
ness shown me by all the Government officials, and of the interest they
took in the successful execution of my work. I remained in Melbourne
for six days, during which time I visited Baron Ferdinand von Mueller,
to whom you had given me letters of introduction. This gentleman
assured ine that the Icerya never became extensively injurious in Aus-
*A careful study of the pygidial characters of this scale shows it to be much nearer
M. pomorum than M. gloverii. It seems, however, to be distinct from the former and
will probably prove to be new.—C, V. R.
LE
tralia. Occasionally and in certain spots they became numerous, but
always disappeared again. [also met Mr. C. French, Baron von Muel-
ler’s assistant, who has had some experience in entomology. He
claims that the scale has been known to him for thirty-four years,
yet he has never seen it in large numbers.
At the Zoological Gardens I found on a species of Eucalyptus a coe-
cid in such numbers as to cover the under side of all the larger branches
and the stem in part. Many of the winged males were secreted among
the crevices of bark, with their two long white setous hairs protruding.
Numerous larvee of a coleopter were found under chips of bark feeding
upon the scales, apparently belonging to some clerid. I never met
with these larve again in my later researches nor with the coccid men-
tioned. A great variety of scales was observed at Melbourne; the
most pernicious amongst them, a species of Aspidiotus, deserved atten-
tion. This is A. rossi Crawford, figured on his plate 18 of the Coccide,
but as yet no description has appeared to my knowledge. I have seen
olive trees completely covered by this scale; it will attack almost any
kind of tree or shrub as I later observed. Many of the shrubs in the
Botanical Gardens in Melbourne infested by this scale were in a dying
condition. The introduction of this pest would be of serious conse-
quence to the United States and we should be on our guard against
this as well as a second species of waxy scale, probably a species of
Ceroplastes. This last is covered by a thick, smooth, white, waxy mat-
ter which effectually protects it. Nothing would destroy this scale,
except remedies against the newly hatched Jarve, which, before they
exude any wax, are easily killed. The insect was observed all over
eastern Australia, and it was numerous in the Botanical Garden at Syd-
ney and in the woods near Brisbane. At the Botanical Gardens they
could find no remedy except cutting down the infested plants. I recom-
mended a strong resin wash for the newly hatched larve. No Icerya
could be found during my short stay at Melbourne.
I arrived at Adelaide, South Australia, on October 2, with letters of
introduction to Mr. Frazer 8. Crawford, of the surveyor general’s office,
who received me very kindly and promised me his assistance, which
promise he honorably fulfiiled throughout my stay in Adelaide. I saw
‘the man who discovered the parasites of Icerya (Lestophonus icerye),
and, indeed, felt very bappy when he promised to show me a large col.
ony of the scales on the following day. Early the next morning Mr. A.
Molineux, agricultural editor of the South Australian Register and Ade-
laide Observer, and proprietor of the Garden and Field, showed me about
a dozen orange and lemon trees in a private garden in the suburbs of
Adelaide all more or less infested with Icerya, and had been so for the
previous two years. _ The scales were nearly all full grown, or rather
nearly all of them had begun to exude cottony matter and deposit eggs,
yet they were not quite so far advanced as those observed at Sydney.
The very first scale examined contained nine pup of the parasitie fly,
Lestophonus, and the scale was still living. Nearly all of the many
12
others examined proved to have either larve or puparia within them ;
none of the flies had at that time made their appearance. I attended
the gardeners’ meeting at Adelaide on October 6, in order to get infor-
mation as to the occurrence of Icerya, yet but very few of the gentlemen
were acquainted with the insect. To show how rare Icerya is in South
Australia, Mr. J. G. O. Tepper, of the museum at Adelaide, a qualified
entomologist, who has collected insects all his life, has known Icerya
only for the last two years. He never met before this with any speci-
mens in all his collecting trips through South Australia. On October
15 I made a trip with Messrs. Crawford and Tepper to North Adelaide,
where some Icerya were said to exist; we found there in one garden a
few orange and lemon trees with the scales, which were subsequently
collected for shipment. In another garden, and also on orange, an oc-
Fic. 2.—Vedalia cardinalis: a, full grown 1 rva; b, pupa, dorsal Fic. 3.—Vedalia cardi-
view, inclosed ii: last larval skin; ¢, pupa, naked, ventral view— nalis, adult—enlarged
all enlarged (after Riley). (after Riley).
casional specinen was found. I discovered there, for the first time,
feeding upon a large female Icerya, the Lady-bird, which will become
famed in the United States— Vedalia cardinalis (Figs. 2 and 3). I called
the attention of both the gentlemen to this in-
sect, yet neither of them had ever seen it nor
knew the beetle. Mr. Tepper has charge of a
large collection of insects, and especially of Co-
leoptera, at the South Australian Museum. Mr.
Smith, the proprietor of the nursery, also called
my attention to a beetle, a curculio, which is
very destructive to olive-trees, eating the young
shoots and leaves of the plants during the night
and secreting itself in the ground during the
day-time (Fig. 4).*
Through the bureau of forestry at Adelaide I
was informed that a colony of Icerya existed at
. , Mannum, on the Murray River, and a trip to that
df A mn place was made on October 18. In two gardens
Fic. 4 ilies Sa a Icerya was present; in one of them they ex-
E v4 isted on only a few of the many orange-trees,
and none examined showed any parasites, while in the other on two
*This is an Otiorbynchid unknown to us, and will have to be referred to a spe-
cialist abroad.—C. V. R.
13
trees that were infested many of the scales were parasitized. In addi-
tion to the parasites, numerous larve and eggs of a lace-winged fly
(Chrysopa) were observed, the larve preying upon the scales and chiefly
upon their eggs. They were covered so much with the cottony matter
of Icerya as to resemble this insect very closely, and were difficult to
pick out from the torn masses of egg-saes. I also observed here a cole-
opterous (Coccinellid) larva, seen before at Adelaide, feeding on the
scales, and this proved to be that of the Vedalia. All the scales here,
as well as all the predaceous larvee found feeding upon them, were col-
lected and taken to Adelaide to be shipped to California, together with
those found at the latter place. They were kept boxed in a cool cellar.
The scales in Adelaide and suburbs were collected on October 24 and
25 at a place in North Adelaide. Nearly every one of the Iceryas ex-
posed to light and sun contained parasites, and many of these had
already left, as numerous holes were visible. Of the scales found ona
small and bushy mandarin tree, where they were excluded from the
sun, only a few contained parasites, but the larve of the Chrysopa were
abundant. Most of the larger egg-saes of Icerya were torn by them
and the contents devoured.
I observed also that many of the young scales, only sufficiently large
to contain a single puparium of the fly, were infested, the expanded
skin of Icerya forming a thin covering over the puparium of the Lesto-
phonus. This was observed at all places where Icerya occurred. No
‘doubt the eggs of the pest must be deposited while the scales are yet
quite small, probably even before the first molt, and certainly later,
as the scales will go on feeding and increasing in size until the larve
within them pupate. At this time large numbers of the scales were
hatching and also of the flies. Only one living fly was observed on
October 24 while collecting the scales, sitting between two large egg-
masses and hardly visible to the eye. This and a second specimen
taken under similar circumstances were the only ones I observed in nat-
ure. [have never met with asingle specimen depositing eggs or even
sitting on an Icerya nor flying around. I finished collecting for my
first shipment on the 25th and estimated that I had about 6,000 Icerya,
which in return would produce at an average about four parasites (Les-
tophonus) each. They were packed partly in wooden and partly in tin
boxes. Small branches generally full of scales were cut so as to fit
exactly lengthwise into the box. With these the boxes were filled and
all loose scales placed in between, plenty of space remaining for any
of the insects within to move about freely without danger of being
crushed by loose sticks. Salicylic acid was used in small quantities in
the tin boxes to prevent mold, yet these, as I have been informed by
Mr. Coquillett, arrived in a more or less moldy condition, while those
in wooden boxes always arrived safe. In addition, Dr. Schomburgh,
director of the botanical gardens at Adelaide, kindly fitted up for me
a Wardian case which was filled with living plants of oranges and Pit-
14
tosporum in pots. Large numbers of Icerya were placed in this, and
such larvie as were found feeding upon them, including some of a Scym-
nus* (Fig. 5), ouly occasionally found with Icerya, yet very abundant on
various Eucalyptus seales, especialiy on Hriococcus
eucalypti. Of this I sent large numbers to California
in my later shipments, as they were easily collected
by the hundreds under bark of Eucalyptus infested
with this Hriococeus. Mr. F. M. Webster brought
me the same insect in numbers from Tasinania, to-
ie gether with the EHriococcus on Eucalyptus. The
Fic. 5.—Seynnixs restitu. Object of this was to have the Lestophonus go on
tor—enlarged (original). ° See 2
breeding within the case during the voyage. No
doubt many infested scales arrived in Los Angeles.
I found on examining the tree, on April 12, 1889, under which this
case had been placed with a tent overit, that from several of the Iceryas
the Lestophonus bad issued. This case, as Mr. Coquillett informed me
in letter of November 30, arrived in good condition, except that the
putty had been knocked off in several places, leaving holes large enough
for the parasites to escape. Before opening the case he found two coc-
cinellid larve crawling on the outside, and these when placed with
the Icerya attacked it at once. He further said that there were only
about half a dozen living Chrysopa adults. This would show that the
Lestophonus was still issuing on arrival in California and all turned out
more favorably than I had anticipated on seeing the box handled in
such a rough manner by the steamer hands at Sydney, to which point
I accompanied this as well as allthe subsequent shipments. I expected
little good would come out of this method of sending and therefore con-
cluded to send only small parcels on ice thereafter, as had been partly
done at first. If once the insects could be placed in good condition in
the ice-house on the steamer just before leaving, where a temperature
of 38° Fah. at first and about 46° Fah. on arrival in San Francisco
existed, they must arrive safely. To accomplish this, the parasites with
their hosts were all collected the last three days before leaving Ade-
laide, and on arriving home were immediately placed in a cool cellar.
On the trip from Adelaide to Sydney, which takes two days by train,
my insects came generally in an ice-box on the sleeping-car.
On November 2 I made a trip to Gordon, 11 miles north of Sydney,
Mr. James Harold, agricultural reporter of the Town and Country
Journal, Sydney, having furnished me with the address of a prominent
fruit-grower there. Mr. Harold has traveled much over Australia
gathering information for his paper, yet, as he assured me, he never met
with an icerya. The same answer was received from the gentleman at
Gordon, who has been living in the colony for thirty-four years and has
raised oranges for thirty-two years. He knew only the three scales upon
* Dr, Sharp has since described this as Scymnus restitutor (Insect Life, P 364).
15
oranges, viz: Lecanium olee (Fig. 6) andthe Mytilaspis and Aspidiotus
aurantit. This latter is not doing any serious damage to his trees, pro-
viding they are well taken care of, yet he assured me that in some parts
of the colony it is impossible to raise oranges on account of the ravages
of this scale. For the Mytilaspis he uses sulphur and lime as a wash,
applying it with a paint brush. This he claims need only be repeated
every three years, as during this time the trees remain comparatively
free. The mixture is prepared in the following way :
Unslacked lime, two parts; sulphur, one part; water is poured on this
in sufficient quantities to boil and unite with it. It is applied as a
white-wash tothe trees and to prevent injury should not be too strong
Fic. 6.—Lecanium ole: 1, adult females on olive leaves—natural size; la, female—enlarged (after
Comstock).
Besides the scales, an Aphis appears occasionally on orange and peach
trees. Two beetles are numerous and destructive to the melon vines
here. One of them found at the time is a Diabrotica, often received by
Mr. Crawford, of Adelaide, as doing great injury to the melon tribe.
This gentleman, however, claims that all injury can be avoided by dust-
ing powdered lime over the plants. The beetles, he said, will not at-
‘tack leaves thus treated. I found here, as well as all over Australia
and New Zealand, the Woolly-Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera), yet they
could be seen only on tbe branches, as allor nearly all the apples raised
in the colonies and New Zealand are said to be grafted on blight-proof
16
stock. For this purpose, the Northern Spy of our continent is consid-
ered the best; next comes the Majetin, as Mr. Will, of Auckland, in-
formed me. The Irish peach was standing completely free of Aphis
between badly infested trees. A large number of blight-proof trees
are sold by nurserymen in Australia and New Zealand, and only such
are planted in these countries as far as the roots are concerned. Mr.
Will said that the Northern Spy will produce the best roots ; on this is
evafted the Majetin as the stem, and any desired
variety may be selected for the upper part or
branches. At this place | observed a small
black and lemon-yellow lady-bird (Fig. 7) feeding
upon the Woolly-Aphis; the same was also ob-
served at Toowoomba, Queensland, under similar
circumstances.* I did not meet with it outside of
these places. No Icerya could be found on the
orange trees, but the same day, two young spec-
Fic. 7.—Lady-bird feedingon jmens were found in the woods, about 2 miles
Woolly Aphis—enlar ged Z >
(original). distant, one of them on a pea-vine and the
second on aspecies of Salix, both near the ground.
November 5 I visited Mr. Joseph Purser at Castle Hill, to the west
of Sydney, also a prominent fruit-grower. No Icerya were found on the
numerous orange trees at this place. Mr. Purser reports having met
with an occasional specimen only on his orange trees, never more than
half adozen. A short distance from the orchard I noticed a small pond
on the edge of which were growing a few small bushes of Acacia. On
examination I found two large Iceryas with egg sacs and several empty
skins of scales. Mr. Purser informed me that in former years he has
often seen the scales upon trees growing along river banks. During this
same day, while searching through the bush, I found upon the needle-
bush Hakia acicularis, growing amongst numerous Acacia longifolia, a
well developed Icerya fastened to the main stem. A careful search
was made on all the plants growing there, yet with the exception of a
peculiar Ccelostoma upon Acacia, no scales could be found. One speci-
men of Icerya was found on this Acacia at the botanical gardens in
Adelaide. Mr. Purser, who is also much troubled with the Mytilaspis
mentioned, used as a remedy kerosene-tar, | pint; soft-soap, 3 pounds;
sulphur, 5 pounds. These are boiled in 10 gailons of water and the
trees washed with this mixture with a paint-brush, only the trunk and
larger limbs being treated. The gentleman claims that all the scales
on trees so treated will be killed and the trees will remain free from
scales from seven to nine years.
I returned to Adelaide on November 8, as I considered that the best
field to obtain the material. On the 15th a trip was made about 300
miles negth of Adelaide, but I found nothing of interest in the insect
line on- this journey, with the exception along the road of large, num-
* This species has been sent abroad for determination,—C, V. R,
=
17
bers of locusts traveling south in search of food, nothing being left for
them in the interior to feed upon. The country around Quorn was so
dry and hot that some Eucalyptus rostrata in a dry river-bed were all
the green vegetation that could be seen, and the locusts still met with
were unable to feed. Finding the search for Icerya in this district use-
less, I returned to Adelaide, where subsequently new colonies were
discovered for shipment. In conversation about the grasshoppers en
route, a gentleman remarked that only in such unusually dry seasons
as the present would the locusts migrate, there being no food left for
them in the interior of South Australia. Those around Quorn, he re-
marked, leit in a southeasterly direction down the valley toward Ade-
laide, while those coming from the interior went towards Spencer’s
Gulf. On my trip I observed them most abundantly about Black Rock
traveling south, not in clouds but scattered and never very high, simi-
lar to our Caloptenus devastator in California in 1885.* :
November 29 I began collecting material for my second shipment.
Already on some of the trees, well exposed to sun, about 90 per cent.
of the flies had left the scales, while on the trees in more shady places
more than half of the parasites were still within their hosts. Nota
single fly was observed, and yet they must have been about in large
numbers. Instead of this, I noticed sitting and walking about the
scales a peculiar Chalcidt (Fig. 8); this was suspected to be a secondary
“ny oF,
“14, ye
Wt tittegettpe nse’ /
Ay
Vd)
Fic. &.—Euryischia lestophoni, dorsal and side views—enlarged (after Riley.)
parasite, and during the day I noticed them ovipositing in the infested
Iceryas. The Lady-birds were at that time quite abundant in egg,
larva, pupa, and imago states, and special pains were taken not to
miss any of these during the collecting. The following four days were
“We have sent specimens of this locust to \. Henri de Saussure, of Geneva, Switz-
erland, for determination, but at the date of going to press have not received his
reply.—C. V. R.
t This is the species referred to in our annual report for 1888, p. 92, under the MS.
name Huryischia lestophoni.—C. V. R.
14134—No, 21——2
18 ‘
spent in gathering Icerya and its enemies. Many of the secondary par-
asites were again noticed, yet not a single Lestophonus. I gathered
during this time probably six thousand scales, and hardly a specimen
was noticed among them that was not parasitized by the Lestophonus.
All of them contained either puparia of the fly or empty holes where the
flies had issued. Knowing that if we should introduce the secondary
parasite the good work of Lestophonus on Icerya would be greatly re-
stricted, I sent the following notice to Mr. Coquillett, and also to your
office.
On account of a parasite of Lestophonus iceryw, remove the infested scales that I
send from the tree they were placed on, after six weeks, and transfer into large glass
jars; examine daily by stupetying the insects that have issued, with chloroform or
ether, empty contents on table, pick out the flies and destroy their parasites. Form
anew colony with every consigument you receive.
In your letter of January 3 in regard to this secondary parasite you
wrote:
The parasite bred from Kermes and the one from confined Jeerya and which you
think to be parasitic upon Lestophonus are different species of the same genus. The
genus is an entirely new one belonging to the Chalcid subfamily Llasminew. This sub-
family is an extremely interesting one, and up to the present time has contained only
the typical genus Elasmus, so that this finding of a new genus is important. Hlasmus
contains both secondary and primary parasites, so that it will be necessary to secure
pretty good evidence regarding this new form before we can accept it as either one
or the other.
From seventy-five specimens of Kermes no Lestophonus was bred. On
the 26th I left Adelaide on my way to Sydney, with what I considered
even a better shipment than the first. Unfortunately this lot arrived
in a bad condition at San Francisco, owing to a gale on the route when
the parcels fell off the shelving in the ice-house, in which they had
been placed, and most of them were crushed by cakes of ice falling on
them. In my opinion, even such severe treatment as this would not
destroy so very many of the pup of Lestophonus, which are not soft,
and if crushed out of the scale wili produce flies if properly taken
care of later, as I had ample opportunity to observe while in Australia.
Among this lot of things were also about fifteen hundred eggs of the
Chrysopa which were collected on Kangaroo Acacia (A. armata) infested
by a Dactylopius, which is often taken to be Icerya. The scale is some-
times so abundant that the plants are entirely covered with it. This
was the case during my visit, and, as Mr. Crawford informed me, also in
1882. Mr. Maskell, to whom specimens were forwarded by Mr. Craw-
ford, said that the insect belongs to the Dactylopinw. The eggs of the
Chrysopa were so abundant that often from twenty to thirty could be
counted on a single small outer branch of a few inches in length, yet
many of these had already hatched. The number of Lady-birds in all
stages sent with this lot amounted to several hundred. The weather
was unusually hot during two days of collecting, the thermometer regis-
tered 108° Fah. in the shade, and from one small box left in room
over night, where the temperature had not been below 90° Fah., about
eo
‘fifty of the flies issued during the night and early morning. They
were crawling on the window at 6a.m. Many more were found within
the box, with wings not yet developed.
I returned again to Adelaide within four days, the time taken in
making the trip. I wrote to the United States consular agent, Mr.
George Harris, at Brisbane, Queensland, te ascertain forme the occur-
rence of Icerya in that district. Through the department of ‘orestry
at Adelaide I was informed that Icerya existed at Stansbury, on the
Yorka Peninsula, at the place of Mr.F. Wurm. Accordingly a trip was
made across the water on October 1, and I was kindly and hospitably
received by Mr. Wurm. That gentleman showed me a small orange-
tree completely covered with Icerya, but aside from this, not a single
specimen could be found for miles around, nor had they ever been ob-
served before this. The tree infested with the scales was completely
covered with a small black ant, so much so that several conld be count-
ed upon each of the scales at the same time. Upon examination only
two specimens of the Icerya were found to be parasitized by the Les-
tophonus, and these had already left. No doubt the abundance of the
ants upon the scales prevented the flies from ovipositing. I recom-
mended keeping the ants off the tree as the scales would then dis-
appear.
How often must the mother flies have been hovering over this young
tree in their attempt to lay eggs, and how many of them must have
been carried off as food for the young of the industrious ants! Mr.
Wurm also informed me that Icerya had been fouud by him upon the
roots of black grass. On examination, however, this proved to be an
entirely different coccid, Lecanium ole, which had found its way to
this place in small colonies on olive-trees. The cut-worms had done
considerable damage to fruit-trees, grape-vines, aud other vegetation
during November. Some of the apple-trees were completely stripped
of their foliage. Melolonthid larvee had been very injurious to the
wheat crop by eating the roots.* The common grasshopper was also in
abundance here.t+
On December 6, from four large specimens of Icerya that had been
inclosed, thirty-four flies (Lestophonus) and five parasites of the latter
had issued. I examined condition of Icerya on place from which last
sending was made, and from which nearly every one of the old and
infested scales had been removed, the trees at the time being full of
large Iceryas; yet at this date but very few of them were left, the coc-_
cinellid larvee and the Chrysopa in conjunction doing good work, eat-
ing, no doubt, the healthy as well as the infested scales. Some of them
had apparently gone through second molt, yet the greater part were
* Three species of Melolonthid beetles were collected at this point by Mr. Koebele,
and being unknown to our fauna will have to be carefully studied for determination.
—C. V.R.
t The same undetermined species referred to on p. 17.
20
still in the first stage. Only very small larve of the Lestophonus were
found within seales after first and second molts. Within a uearly full-
grown specimen on trunk of lemon-tree, the only large one found there,
two larve of the fly were nearly full-grown.
I left on December 10 for Melbourne, seeing that it was necessary to -
hunt up a new field. There I had hopes of gathering a sufficient quan-
tity for a shipment. The largest colony I was able to discover at Mel- ~
bourne existed in a church-yard on Collins street, upon small trees of
Pittosporum undulatum. Icould not find the proper person to apply to
for admittance, and a policeman whom I consulted in regard to getting
the tempting specimens advised me ‘‘not to jump from the fence as
they surely would have me arrested.”
I left them undisturbed and went in search of others. A few speci-
mens existed in the gardens of the government buildings; an occa-
sional specimen in the park adjoining the Exposition grounds ; some on
a hedge in front of a hotel, and single specimens were found on trees
in a park at St. Kilda, while at the same place on a garden hedge quite
anumber were found; all these on Pittosporum undulatum and P. (engeni-
oides?), At the last-named place the lady-birds were found at work,
and all were gathered later for shipment. I went east of Melbourne as
far as Bairnsdale, yet no Icerya could be found. <A strong attempt
was made to find out the whereabouts of the Monophlcebids of which
Mr. Crawford had sent specimens to California. They could not be dis-
covered in numbers in the woods, yet in the parks at St. Kilda I was
soon rewarded. by finding the insects looked for, viz.: Monophlebus
crawfordi Maskell (Fig. 9), under loose bark of various Kucalypti, em-
bedded in cottony matter, and the single, (often 2 inches) long, white,
setous, anal hairs sticking out.* Only a few dozen of the monstrous
scales, however, could be gathered in a bard day’s work. Up in the tree-
tops I often found a similar Monophlebid, only varying in color some-
what. It is as large, or even larger, than M. crawfordi, and sits fast-
ened to the branches and exposed without any cottony attachments,
although sometimes under chips of bark.
On my way home in the evening one of these scales came hurriedly
running down on the trunk of a tree. So the next day, at the northern
park at Melbourne, the ground at the base of the Eucalypti was ex-
amined. Here I found, sometimes lying loose on top and dead (in this
case always destroyed by Lestophonus) and below ground to a depth of
3 inches, in a small cave nicely embedded in loose cottony matter if
healthy, or generally mixed up with the ground if parasitized, large
numbers of these scales. These, Mr. Coquillett informed me on my re-
turn to Los Angeles in April, gave the best results in Lestophonus, as
these parasites were still issuing then, four months after they were col-
*Not mentioned in the description of Monophlabus crawfordi. See “On some New
South Australian Coccidie,” by W. M. Maskell. (From the Transactions of the Royal
Society of South Australia 1888.)—A. K. +
21
lected. I have counted as many as sixty-two holes in one of these
scales, showing what a number of parasites they are able to support. A
third species of these large Coccids was found attached to the roots and
base of Eucalyptus below ground, even larger than the two preceding.
Abort forty specimens of these produced no parasites.. One specimen,
probably of this latter species, was found embedded under bark between
the forks of a very large Eucalyptus about 8 feet from the ground. This
measured fully 1 inch in length, and was about two-thirds as broad,
being nearly round.
: say UE
Fic. 9.—Monophlebus crawfordi: a, female from above; b, same from below—enlarged; c, antenna;
d, tarsus of same—still more enlarged (original).
I lett for Sydney on the 24th to place the insects in an ice-house previ-
ous to shipment. In the meantime a letter had been received from Bris-
bane stating that Icerya occurred there occasionally in numbers, and
having had a letter from you in which you expressed the hope that I
would be able to visit Mr. Carl H. Hartmann, a correspondent of yours
at Toowoomba, who had found Icerya on his oranges in 1886, I started
for Queensland on December 29 and arrived at Toowoomba early on
January 1,1889, During the same day a full-grown female Icerya was
discovered in the woods about three miles from this place on Acacia
decurrens. During a search of several hours no other specimens were
found. I visited the Range nursery the following day and met the son
and the brother of Mr. Hartmann, who himself had died from the effects
-
22
of fever contracted while on a scientific trip to New Guinea. I also
met the man who had been employed at the time in 1886 when Mr. Hart-
mann received an illustration from Brisbane of Icerya,and directed him
to look over the trees for specimens, when several scales were found.
Since then, however, none have been found. While looking over the
‘lemon and orange trees I found one single nearly full-grown specimen,
but aside from this no trace of them. A peculiar Coccid resembling
Icerya somewhat in structare was found on an apple-tree. The gentle-
man informed me that Icerya was always most noticeable in wet seasons,
but that it never appeared in such numbers as to be injurious. |
I found here in abundance the large hemipterous insect so destruct-
ive to the orange in Queensland and New South Wales. A second
species Somewhat smaller than this, yet equally mischievous, was found |
at Adelaide (Fig. 10). Trees were observed at this place with all the
fruit and most of the young
shoots destroyed. Both spe-
cies live and grow upon the
sap of fruit and tender
twigs.* Aspidiotus aurantii
was present here in numbers
and also Lecanium olec, both
upon oranges; the latter,
however, is kept well in
ay ‘1 ee ee check by a _ lepidopterous
fJana—natural size (Noctuid) larva, Thalpochares
Seal). cocciphaga, Meyrick (Fig. 11).
Several young orange trees had been completely cleaned by larvee, and
eight chrysalids were found upon a young plant. Mr. H. Hartmann
also informed me that near Brisbane a dipterous larva existed which
occasionally destroyed all the orange crops, and in 18%6, which was a
very wet season, a dipterous larva destroyed not only all the oranges
but also nearly all the other fruits, even the apples and pears. He also
gave me the following list as blight-proof apple-trees: ‘Northern Spy,
Majetin, Irish Peach, Streaked Peach, Hartmann’s Seedlings Nos. 1 and
5, New England Pigeon, Shepherd’s Perfection, Chubb’s Seedling, Can-
vade, Flushed Peach.”
On January 5, having obtained free passes for the Queensland rail-
ways, I left Toowoomba for Brisbane. On my arrival at the hotel I met
with specimens of Icerya on an ornamental plant in the passage-way.
This and a few other specimens found in gardens through the city were
all I could find, yet in damp seasons they occur sometimes in numbers,
as I learned from several gentlemen acquainted with the insect.
Mr. Henry Tryon, assistant curator of the Museum, kindly introduced
me to several persons in Brisbane. He himself was about to publish a
Fic. 11.—Thalpochares cocciphaga—
slightly enlarged (original).
*The second of these insects is Mictis profana Fabr., and the other is a species of
Aspongopus.—C. V. R.
23
paper on Icerya and its parasites, of which he has shown me a small Chal-
eid of which he bred several specimens from Icerya inclosed in paper
box, saying it was a true parasite.* I bred this same insect from a few
specimens of an Icerya sent to me by Dr. Bancroft, of Brisbane, as feed-
ing upon mangrove tree (Avicennia officinalis, Linn.). This scale dif-
fers in coloration from the true I. purchasi and may prove to be a new
species. Mr. Maskell, to whom the insect was shown, thinks it only a
variety. It would be an interesting one, however, for of all the J.
purchasi that I have seen, none show such a uniform bright yellow
color. No specimens found on mangrove at Auckland show such
bright yellow color. Mr. Tryon is of the opinion that Icerya originated
in China, from the fact that nearly all specimens he found at Brisbane
wereupon plants from that country. Dr. Bancroft, in his paper on
Coccide (Philosophical Society of Queensland, vol. 1, August, 1869),
referred to the then undescribed Icerya, and at that time, asheassured
me, he had been acquainted with the insect for several years. The
doctor further mentioned the occurrence of a scale on the sugar-cane
in Queensland living on the roots of the young plants, and as these be-
came larger, behind the leaves. It had been imported with the canes
from Mauritius. He promised to secure specimens for me. No doubt
this will prove to be J. sacchari.t
In the woods around Brisbane but few Coccids were found during my
brief stay. The white waxy scale (Ceroplastes) so abundant on various
plants in cultivation was here observed in large numbers upon a small
shrub. Of the Monophlebus, which I had been informed was almost
always numerous around Brisbane, only an occasional specimen could
be found. Everything was so extremely dry that I gave up my in-
tended trip by steamer further north, and as there was little prospect
of obtaining sufficient material for a shipment at this place, I returned
slowly towards Melbourne, making occasional stops along the road, yet
without discovering any Icerya. At Melbourne I was fortunate in finding
many more of the Monophlebus, On a few trees, under the bark, they
occurred by the dozens, often many together, but they were all dried up
and the flies had left sometime previous. Those in ground were still
in good condition. A large number of them had deposited their eggs
and were shriveled up, yet during the two days a fair number were found
parasitized. At Sydney, January 21 to 23, a number of Iceryas with
parasites, and probably two hundred or more of the Lady-birds in all
*Mr. Tryon has recently published in a pamphlet entitled “ Report on Insect and
Fungus Pests, No. 1,” a general description of this parasite, but without attempt to
name or properly place it. From the description it seems to be identical with a true
parasite of Icerya, which we have received from Mr. Crawford, and which we have
characterized, since the above was in type, as Ophelosia crawfordi, n. g., 1. sp.—C.
V. RR.
t We find among Mr. Koebele’s Brisbane material a small Coccinellid not here re-
ferred to, but which is labeled ‘‘ feeding on Icerya.” It may be the species referred
to in the following paragraph, as found at Sydney, and must remain for the present
undetermined.—C. V. R.
24
‘
stages, were collected, most of them inthe Town Hall garden. I found
here also feeding upon the Seales a few specimens of a small Seymnus
in all its stages which were inclosed. The first brood of Iceryas in
warm and exposed places at Syduey had by this time become nearly
grown, some of them beginning to exude cottony matter, while others
in more secluded spots were quite small. The isolated acacia tree, so
full of Icerya in ‘September, had become entirely clear, nothing but a
few old and torn egg-masses being visible. With this I finished col-
lecting the parasites and enemies of Icerya in Australia, as from letters
received from Mr. Crawford, at Adelaide, dated January 11 and 12, there
was little hope of obtaining sufficient materiai at that place for another
consignment, nor would it have paid to search for Monophlebus in the
ground, as at the time they could not be found in large numbers in the
woods. Moreover, many of their parasites had already left, while the
Icerya still known to me at Melbourne and Sydney were not sufficient
to make a good shipment.
A letter received at this time from you in which you directed me to
visit New Zealand and study Icerya there until the arrival of the next
steamer for San Francisco, in case the exposition commission would pay
expenses, was shown to Hon. Frank McCoppin, who at once consented to
my proposed trip. I therefore left Sydney on the steamer of January 23
with some hope of clearing up the mysterious disappearance of Icerya
in New Zealand. Arrived at Auckland on the 28th, the Seales with
parasites and Lady-birds were repacked from tin into wooden boxes, and
were found in excellent condition. Everything within the tin boxes had
the appearance of being placed there only a few hours previous. There
was no indication of any mold. Some fresh Iceryas found in a private
garden at Auckland, on Acacia decurrens, were inclosed as food for the
Lady-bird larve. These latter Scales were in a small colony all close
together ov a few small branches, and numbered about eight hundred
specimens. No insects preying upon them were found. At the United
States consulate a letter was found awaiting me from Mr. R. Allan
Wight, dated October 10, 1888, in which the writer mentioned various
localities infested with Icerya, wishing me to visit Hawke’s Bay, at
Napier, where the Scales were still numerous, although fast disappear-
ing, and where a good field for observation would be open. I therefore
left Auckland on January 30, overland, the New Zealand Government,
through our consul, having furnished me with a free pass for four
months. On this trip not many observations could be made.
The Cabbage Aphis was found in large numbers all over the northern
island of New Zealand as wellasin Australia. A Coccinellid was found
subsequently at Napier feeding upon this Aphis in large numbers. It
is described by Mr. W. Colenso as C. nova zealandica (Fig. 12). About
fifty specimens of these were collected and placed in empty pill-boxes. Of
these twenty-one were still living on my arrival at Alameda, where they
were liberated. A second species was found feeding upon the Aphis in
— —
25
small numbers; this is 0. tasmanii(Fig. 13). The Cabbage Plutella ( Plu-
tella cruciferarum Zell.) was here as well as all over Australia, observed
tobe very abundant. Mr. French, of Melbourne, had a specimen on exhi-
bition with the name of *‘ Plusia crucifera” as injurious to cabbage. The
small Tineid, so destructive to potatoes in California, and no doubt
already distributed over the most of the Western States, has been known
in New Zealand for years, and it is doing the same mischief all over
Australia, where it originated. In conversation with a merchant from
Denver, Colo., recently, he said that a year ago he received three car-
loads of California potatoes, infested with these worms to such a de.
gree that they could not be sold. I also met here, wherever apples are
grown, with what is probably Vytilaspis pomorum Bouché, the species
previously referred to as such.
Fic. 12.—Coccinella nova-zealandica, Jarva and adult— Fic. 13.—Coccinella tasmanit,
enlarged (original). adult—enlarged (original).
Mr. A. Hamilton, curator of the museum at Napier, who had been
informed by Mr. Wight of my intended trip, awaited me and at once
showed me a number of infested Acacia trees. Icerya was here still in
countless numbers. Before breakfast the next morning this gentleman
showed me one of the Australian Lady-birds,* saying that he found it
among Icerya. On investigation they were found in large numbers in
every place visited at Napier and several miles out in the country. I
left Napier for Wellington on the 11th to visit Mr. Maskell. This gen-
tleman had never had the opportunity of studying the enemies of Icerya,
as the scales are not found anywhere within 80 miles of Wellington. It
had been the firm belief of some persons in New Zealand that certain
Ichneumonids were the destroyers of the Scales. I saw dozens of sev-
eral species of these upon one orange tree infested with Icerya near
Napier, not injuring them in any way, but devouring the sweet exuda-
tion from them. Larger numbers of flies were present than Ichneu-
monide, and even Crambidze were engaged in the same perform-’
ance, yet these received no sbarein the compliments. Mr. Maskell had
received from the Cape of Good Hope about two hundred specimens
of several species of Coccinellids, which, as the sender informed him,
*Vedalia cardinalis Muls.—C. V. R.
26
were all preying upon Icerya. They were sent to Nelson and placed
under tent with the Scales. A few days later, how-
ever, the wind took away the tent and nothing more
has been seen sinee of the Coccinellids. Several
species of these beetles which Mr. Maskell kindly
presented me with were left with you at Washington.
Amongst them I could not find the Rodolia icerye,
ee tre ed Janson (Fig. 14), which is destroying the Scales at the
ye—eularsd (ater Cape and, with the possible exception of one species,
Bley) - I do not think they will feed upon Icerya.
My time was too short to visit Nelson, and Mr. Maskell kindly promised
to secure for me a box full of scales from that district, so as to enable
me to find out whether some parasites or enemies existed there. This
box was sent to me on board the steamer at Auckland and, on opening
the same, several flies were found that had issued en route. Only one
of them was in perfect condition ; all the others were crippled. They
had crawled in among the paper used in making up the parcel. No
other specimeus were bred and no holes were observed in the scales, so
the only possibility remains in the larva of this fly being predaceous
upon the eggs of Icerya. Apart from these flies no other insects were
observed from the Nelson Scales. On my return to Napier I got at once
to work gathering the Coccinellids in all stages. They were in such
numbers that I found it not very difficult to collect here about six
thousand specimens during the three days (February 14 to 16). As
many as eight eggs of the Lady-bird were observed on the upper side
of the female Icerya just beginning to exude cottony matter. Oppo-
site to this on the small branch of Acacia, five young larvee of the
Lady-bird were feeding on the under side of a half-grown scale; in one
instance even nine Coccinellid larve were found attached to a small
Icerya. The mature beetles were not numerous,
but every branch full of scales had a greater or
less number of eggs and larve. The eggs are
chiefly deposited among the vigorous half-grown
scales. Here the largest number of the eggs and
young larve were found. They are generally
single, thrust in between the scales and fastened
onto the branch, on the scale itself, and often on
the under side of the scale, as the mother Lady-
I bird will sometimes raise the Icerya with her hind
Fig. 15.—Scymnus fagus—en- legs and thrust the egg under it. At times two
bai det or more are found together, always lying flat and
in irregular position. Aside from this valuable Coccinellid, a small
Seymuus was observed here feeding upon the scales, but in small num-
bers only. This was named for me later by Captain Broun, as Scymnus
Fagus (Fig. 15).
I left Napier with my valuable lot of Lady-birds on the 17th. They
27
were placed in the ice-house on the steamer, and as soon as Auckland
was reached I went to the freezing- house and there my Coccinellids were
placed in a cool room with a temperature of 35° Fah. Having been
informed that Iceryas had been very numerous almost a year ago at a
gentleman’s place near Lake Togabuna, several miles out of Auckland,
a trip was made as soon as my Lady-birds were safe, for I was very
anxious to get at the fact as to what had destroyed the Scales around Auck-
land, and if it were not the same insect found at Napier. I was shown”
a couple of Acacia trees, one of which had been destroyed by the Scales,
and a second, still living, which had many Iceryas upon it. All the
Scales on this small tree were examined, and, with the exception of a
small Coleopterous larva within one of the egg-masses, no enemies could
be observed. Both these trees were growing ainong old pine trees and
were much shaded by them, in fact so much so that no sun-loving in-
sect like the Lady-bird would venture into them. Close by about a
dozen orange trees were growing in an open field, and on my inquiring
if no Scales were upon these trees, the gentleman remarked that only
about nine months since they were full of them, but that all had disap-
peared. These I wanted to see, and on the first tree reached, while
yet at some distance, I could see, exposed to the sun on the upper side
of a leaf, a black glistening spot, which was the insect looked for, the
Australian Lady-bird. On this tree more Coccinellids than [ceryas were
‘found. The Lady-birds, if not at rest on top of a leaf in the hot sun,
’ were busily running or flying about. This is an interesting fact. All
the orange trees in the open field were completely cleaned of the thou-
sands of Scales by the Coccinellids, while closely adjoining, among the
dark and shady pines (Pinus insignis Douglas), a large Acacia tree
(Acacia decurrens) was destroyed by the Seales, even the adjoining
branches of the pine trees being dead, and, as stated by the proprietor,
from the effects of Icerya.
As yet the scales have not been observed to my knowledge on pine
trees in California, yet Mr. Maskell also told me of having seen pine
trees loaded with them. I observed here also an Aspidiotus very in-
jurious to apple trees. The following day the place visited on my
first arrival in Auckland was examined again, but only a few large
females could be found. The young were just hatching, and many
eggs were still present. Mr. Cheeseman had been informed by Mr.
Purchas and others that Icerya existed abundantly in the woods at the
English church cemetery (Paeroa), infesting Sophora tetraptera. He
kindly accompanied me to the place, and before long pointed out the
tree, which is closely related to the Acacias. We soon succeeded in
finding the scales in large numbers on a few of the trees, when a care-
ful investigation was made and a few specimens of the small Scymnus
fagus were found. A small hemipterous insect was present among the
ege-masses in all stages, the young being found within them, and two
species of small spiders had built their houses among the egg-masses
28
also. From the many remains of the young Iceryas it was evident that
they fed also on these. The Australian Coecinellid had not yet discov-
ered this colony of scales, yet it must have existed here in numbers
for at least four years. Only a few scattered specimens were found
on other shrubs, but they had spread to the Mangrove bushes growing
close by in large numbers. On this plant they thrive remarkably well.
Captain Broun, at Drury, the authority on New Zealand Coleoptera,
was visited and asked in regard to the Australian Lady-bird. He did
not know the insect, nor had he ever met with it, but he had the small
Scymnus fagus, which seems to be more widely spread and lives upon
various Scales ; neither had he met with the common C. nova-zealandica
which I found at Napier. During a ramble in the woods with the cap-
tain I found a large Coccinellid in all stages feeding upon Cltenochiton
viridis Maskell infesting Coprosma lucida. This Coccinellid was identi-
fied by him as Leis antipodum Mulsant (Fig. 16). Upon the same tree was
also found in abundance a second and smaller Seale of the same genus;
this is C. perforatus. The captain kindly promised to send me a number
of living specimens of the Coceinellid, and he kept his promise, though,
unfortunately, the insect had become so rare that with assistance he
was able to find only six specimens. These came in an ice-chamber well
packed in a large box, but only one of them was living on arrival here.
Fic, 16.— Leis antipodum, two varieties —enlarged (original.)
On February 25 the steamer was ready to sail. Having made ar-
rangements with the butcher on board the previous day as to the most
convenient time of receiving my insects into the ice-house, they were
transferred from the freezing-house on board the steamer, which did
not take more than ten minutes, and the insects were not disturbed in
their dormant stage during the time. Every day on the voyage I re-
ceived the answer from the butcher, to my inquiries about the parcel,
“Your bugs are all right.” On March 10, after leaving Honolulu, one
of the boxes with the Lady-bird larvae was examined and found in ex-
cellent condition; no dead lJarvee could be found among them, and this
was twenty-four days after the first were collected. On Saturday eve-
ning, March 16, we arrived at San Francisco, too late to have the in-
sects forwarded, and I could not send them offdefore Monday evening,
March 18. They were probably received and opened by Mr. Coquillett
two days later. This would make, thirty-four days that they were in-
—
) 29
closed, and yet they arrived in excellent condition, better than any pre-
viously received. Having been on ice for twenty-nine days, no doubt
many of the eggs arrived here before hatching, and the larve under
such conditions would make little progress in their growth.
As will be seen from these notes (and such is my firm belief), [cerya
is indigenous to Australia, having spread from that country to the Cape
of Good Hope, New Zealand, and our continent, and no doubt with some
plants brought bere. The pursers on steamers running between San
Francisco and Sydney informed me that with every trip a greater or
less number of plants are brought over. On these no one would notice
Icerya; even an expert would overlook a few of the tiny young scales
if not especially searching for them. At the time Icerya was first ob-
served here many oranges were brought over. Mr. Sutton, of the
Alameda, informed me that in 1873 the entire market in San Francisco
was supplied with Australian oranges. All this matters little. We
have the pest, and now the most effective enemies of it. Before long
the work of the latter will be appreciated all over the State. At this
date small colonies of the Lady-birds lave been established in almost
every district infested with Icerya, and at Los Angeles they must be
present already by the thousands.
It was difficult in Australia to ascertain which was the most effect-
‘ive enemy of Icerya, on account of the searcity of the latter insect dur-
ing the unusually dry season of my visit. It is safe to say, however,
that the Lestophonids are always and at any time ready for any Icerya,
since they breed upon so many and varied Scales infesting the Euea-
lypti and Acacias, of which the Australian woods chiefly consist.
Often Icerya will appear in large numbers in some private garden in a
city, and yet, as I have been informed, they will be out of sight in a
short time again. This entire clearing up is the work of the Lady-
birds, for in most cases the infested scales will produce eggs, and the
flies are never able to entirely clear a tree of them, in which case t!.e
Lady-bird steps in and devours Scales, flies, and all. It is only in such
protected places that the scales sometimes become numerous, as_ it
takes time for their enemies to establish themselves. The Lestophonus
no doubt would in time increase here so as to keep the Icerya in check,
but this would be years, for only two broods of it were observed in
Australia, as many as that of its host, the Icerya, the parasite appear-
ing about the same time as the young of the latter. I have seen about
eight species of Monophleebide upon which Lestophonus will undoubt-
edly breed. ,
Dr. Diez, of the Adelaide Museum, has shown me several specimens
of a species of these scales, which he assures me were fully 2 inches in
length when received alive from the interior of South Australia. He
had written to the party who sent them for information regarding the
monstrous scale-bug, yet the only light he received upon the subject
was that the discoverer of the Scale was found dead in the bush near
30
Baroota, and he assumes that they came from that district. Such a
large Coccid would be able to support several hundred of the Lesto-
phonus. I have also bred this fly from a species of Celostoma found
on ashrab at Mount Lofty, South Australia, where two specimens of
Icerya were found, both invested by Lestophonus on a species of Acacia.
In California we have to my knowledge no Scales upon which this fly
would breed, with the exception of Pulvinaria and Dactylopius. Of the
latter there are many species found almost everywhere; a large species
almost equal in size to Icerya exists upon our Redwood trees (Sequoia).
This no doubt will in time be attacked by the flies. I have not the least
doubt that in time this Lestophonus will do effective work upon Icerya
even if slow (too slow for the Americans, as Mr. Wolfskill remarked).
So far 1 have seen little progress of it. On my visit to Los Angeles (April
12), it seemed that very few remained of the vast number of flies re-
ceived here in good condition. AJIl had been placed under one tent,
erected over a tree for the purpose of propagating, instead of forming
a new colony with every consignment received; yet it is to be hoped
that very many of the flies have escaped from the tent.
As far as the Lady-bird is concerned it will show itseif, or rather has
done so already. They never were found by the writer except feeding
upon Icerya, aud yet there must surely exist in Australia some other
scales upon which they feed. The work this little insect is able to accom-
plish is shown by the fact that by chance it went over to Auckland, New
Zealand, where the Icerya was in a flourishing state, having destroyed
nearly everything about five years or so since, and there cleared nearly
the whole district around Auckland within about two years. From here
it has spread south as far as Hawk’s Bay without any artificial help,
everywhere increasing in numbers as long as the food would last. I
shall be greatly mistaken if this one insect alone is not master of the
situation within two years’ time, although we have comparatively few
to battle with. It will need thousands everywhere to clean up the mill-
ions of scales. I has no time while in the field to study much of the
life-history of this valuable insect. My first motto was always “get as
many as possible.” If once established here, the life history may be
studied at leisure.
I will, however, relate part of the doings of one pair of these insects.
On February.9 a few beetles and pup were collected in a glass jar.
Two male Lady-birds were noticed running and pushing around one of
the pup in which one of the female Lady-birds had just issued and
was within the case with soft and tender wings and about helpless. Soon
the male succeeded in pushing her out, and immediately after this had
been accomplished, one of them united with her at about 3 p.m. This
pair were placed in a small wooden box and they remained in copula
until the following morning at 7. They were left in this box until
February 17, when they were placed in a large jar with twigs of Acacia
fullofIceryas. Noeggs were observed in the box, which was completely
dl
clean, with the exception of the numerous red spots produced by the
Lady-bird, for they had subsisted on their owneggs during their confine-
ment. As soon as the female Lady-bird was among the scales she be-
came quiet, stopped, and deposited an egg upon the twig. As soon as
this was done she turned around and devoured the same, which took
her about a half a minute. A few moments were spent in cleaning her-
self and then another egg was brought forth and eaten. After this and
another wash she attacked and devoured a half grown scale. This was
eaten into from the back, very quietly at first, yet in a little time she
became lively, almost furious, tearing the scale off from its hold by the
beak and turning it up and down in the air with the mouth-parts, as-
sisting in this with the anterior legs. In about one minute this was
devoured and nothing but the empty skin left, after which she went to
work, business-like, and deposited eggs quietly, sitting at rest upon the
scales, and every few minutes thrusting an egg in between or generally
under them. A very large scale was lifted with the posterior legs and
the egg thrust beneath. All the strong attempts at love affairs by the
lively and not hungry male were resisted. I was careful to see that
twigs with nothing but Icerya on them were selected for food; at least
no young larve could be observed on them; yet the second day after
the Coccinellids were placed in with them, young larve were seen, and
they came out so fast that within a few days my jar was a living mass
of them.
On February 22 a few of the larve were full grown and settled down
in a quiet place, fastening the ends of their bodies down with a thick
and sticky substance and remaining in this way, becoming shorter and
stouter, for four days. On the 25th the first pupa was observed; from
this the mature beetle hatched in the evening of the 28th. Another
appeared the following day. Again, on March 3, a pair of the bred
Lady-birds were placed together, with clean food, and the next day,
March 4, eggs were observed which hatched on the 8th. This I could
not carry through, as the food began to dry up; in fact, on March 18,
many grown and hungry larvie were devouring each other in this jar,
and even the mother of them, which was still living, was noticed devour-
ing one of her young, a larva. Three times, at intervals, this pair were
_ observed in copulation. Eleven beetles of this last brood reached matu-
rity, having had nothing to feed upon but one supply of scales that
had already heen boxed up for eight days, the beetles having been born
and forced to live upon one another. Taking four days for the eggs to
hatch, about eight days for the larve to grow, three days until pupa-
ting, and four days more for the pupa to emerge, this would only make
nineteen days from the egg tothe mature insect, providing the weather
is warm. No doubt we will see cases where, in less time than this,
all the stages are gone through at Los Angeles in hot weather, and we
may expect at least fifteen broods annually of this insect to two of
Icerya.
32
Another most important insect is the moth Thalpochares cocciphaga
Meyrick. It is greatly to be hoped that this insect will be introduced
here. I have been able to get about a hundred larvee here in good con-
dition, yet what became of them Iam not able to state as yet. The
insect is apparently easy to breed. Five of the larvae were placed in a
pill-box in the field during January and overlooked. During April, on
opening the box at Alameda, I found that four of the moths had issued,
copulated, and deposited many eggs. The young larvie, however, had
already left the box and no trace of them could be found. It would
have been easy with the number received here, had a little care been
bestowed upon them, to breed and introduce them upon most any of
our larger Scales.
The Chrysopa, of which eggs and larvee were sent over with every
shipment, excepting the last, have been successfully introduced. In
April, while in Los Angeles, several of the insects were noticed upon
orange trees in Mr. Wolfskill’s orchard.
Several species of Scymnus, about six in number, that were sent, all
live upon Coccide. The largest of them was abundant in Brisbane upon
various soft scales, and was also found at this place upon Icerya.
Mr. Webster brought to me from Tasmania a box full of Eucalyptus
twigs with Hriococcus eucalypi, the Scymnus so numerous at Melbourne,
and sent here in numbers, together with two small moths, a Pyralid and
a Tineid, which were feeding upon the Yriococcus.* These, as all other
insects, were turned over to Mr. Coquillett. Various other beneficial
insects were observed during my four months’ work in Australia, all of
which if introduced here would be of great value. One of these de-
serves to be mentioned. It is one of the largest Lady-birds, and had
cleaned. whole apple orchards of the Woolly Aphis in South Australia
and Victoria. They were also observed to feed upon Lecanium.
All material collected and studied in Australia relating to this sub-
ject and otherwise of-importance will be mounted and sent to you with
the notes thereon.
*These moths we have no means of now determining, even if described. The
Tineid much resembles Luclemensia bassettella of this country, and the other is a Phy-
cid near Dakruma.—C. V. R.
°
—a
1 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DEVES:ION-: OF EN LOMO LOGY.
BULLETIN No. 21.
(Revised Edition.)
Pee be Gn).
OF A
gerere tO. Abr SPA LEA
MADE UNDER DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST
rO ENVESTIGATE THE
Narurat ENEMIES oF THE F LUTED SCALE.
ALBERT KOEBELE.
(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
——_._+—_—> > -—_____—
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1890.
Yeo UEPARIMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 21.
(Revised Edition.)
|p Shel ees © ial Sa
OF A
Pale Or SiR A ELA
MADE UNDER DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST
TO INVESTIGATE THE
NATURAL ENEMIES OF THE FLUTED SCALE,
BY
ALBERT BORE.
fe 2082
‘MAR 28 | 90
She as
7HSewian OER
(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
WesHiInGTon:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1890.
o
ws
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., November 22, 1889.
Sir: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 21 of
this Division, being the report of Mr. Albert Koebele upon the Fluted
Seale (Icerya purchasi Maskell) and its natural enemies in Australia.
I had intended to incorporate it in my forthcoming annual report, but
the limited space alloted to that report makes it necessary to publish
this as a separate bulletin.
Respectfully,
€.. VV. RiLEy,
Entomologist.
Hon. J. M. RUSK,
Secretary of Agriculture.
INTRODUCTION.
The following report by Mr. Albert Koebele, one of the California
agents of the Division of Entomology, gives an account of his trip to
Australia, made during the late summer and fall of 1888 and the winter
of 188889, under instructions from this Department, for the purpose
of investigating the Australian natural enemies of the Fluted Scale
(Icerya purchasi Maskell) with a view to introducing the most efficient
of them into California.
Failing to secure a specific appropriation from Congress for this pur-
pose, although assisted in the attempt by the California delegation,
and particularly by the Hon. C. M. Felton, and failing also to secure
the removal of the clause restricting travel to the limits of the United
States, we were led to accomplish the result through the kindness of
the Department of State, in connection with the Melbourne Exposition,
an arrangement having been made whereby two of the salaried agents
of the Division should be temporarily attached to the Commission,
their expenses, outside the United States, to be defrayed by the Com-
mission, within the sum of $2.000. The warm thanks of this Depart-
ment are due to the Department of State for this codperation, and par-
ticularly to the Hon. Frank McCoppin, commissioner-general to the
Exposition, to whom the matter was submitted by the State Department
for approval. Mr. McCoppin at once accepted the proposition, and
upon Mr. Koebele’s arrival in Australia helped him in every way possi-
ble to make the experiment successful.
Mr. Koebele was sent, as just stated, for the specific purpose of study-
ing and importing the natural enemies of the Fluted Scale, while the
other agent, Mr. F. M. Webster, was sent to make a special report to
the Commission on the agricultural features of the Exposition. Mr.
Webster’s report has been sent to the Commission, and was formally
submitted to Mr. McCoppin. A copy of the present report, although
purely entomological, and having little relation tothe Exposition proper,
has also been transmitted to Mr. McCoppin, as the results of the mis-
sion are, and ever will be, connected with his exposition work.
While a number of other entomological matters are referred to in the
report, Mr. Koebele never lost sight of the main object of his mission.
How successful it has proved late reports already published in INSECT
5
6
LIFE, and elsewhere, have abundantly testified. They have more than
justified the anticipations expressed in my last annual report:
We fully expect to learn of the increase and rapid spread of this new introduction
as well as some of the other predaceous species which have been introduced, and to
find that in a comparatively few years the orange groves of southern California will
be kept measurably freed of the pernicious Fluted Scale without so great an effort on
the part of the growers or so great expense in destroying it. That nature will, with
the new conditions induced by these importations, come to the relief of the fruit-
grower, and that this interesting experiment will result in the ultimate saving of
untold millions to the people of the Pacific Coast is our sincere belief which we hope
to see verified. Not that we expect the Icerya to be ever entirely exterminated ;
but it will be kept under subjection so as to be comparatively harmless, as it is in its
native country.
One of the insects imported, viz, the Cardinal Vedalia (Vedalia cardi-
nalis Mulsant), has multiplied and increased to such an extentas to rid
many of the orange groves from Icerya and to promise immunity in the
near future for the entire State of California. In fact, the rapid multi-
plication and the effective work of this little beetle are almost incom-
prehensible until we come to consider its power of increase in a climate
like that of southern California, where there is scarcely any cessation in
its activities.
A careful account of the transformations of the Vedalia has been pre-
pared by Mr. Coquillett and was published in INSECT LIFE for Sep-
tember, 1889, pages 70 to 74. I reproduce the figures in connection with
Mr. Koebele’s report in order to familiarize those who have not yet seen
it with its appearance. I have also had some other figures made to ac-
company the report.
The period from the laying of the eggs until the adults again appear
occupies less than thirty days for the Vedalia. At this rate of increase,
calculating that three hundred eggs are laid by each female, and that
one half of these produce females, it will readily be seen that in six
months the offspring of a single female beetle may under favorable cir-
cumstances amount to over twenty-two trillions. So far it has not been
noticed to prey upon any other insect than the Fluted Seale, a fact which
accounts somewhat for its exceptionally rapid work and renders the
outlook extremely encouraging.
Uf the other enemies of the Icerya referred to and more particularly
mentioned in the latter part of Mr. Koebele’s report, none of them have
so far given much promise, and there is risk of their not being colonized
by virtue of the extraordinary spread and increase of the Vedalia,
which has swept away from whole regions the Fluted Scale, upon which
they depend. This contingency should have been avoided and I very
much regret that they have not become established in California, be-
cause their establishment, and especially that of the little Dipteron,
Cryptochetum icerye, would have helped in the general subjection of
the pest and would be particularly valuable whenever the Vedalia, for
whatever reason, at any time practically forsakes a given locality.
Where possible 1 have endeavored by foot-notes to add to the specific
accuracy of the insects referred to.
C. V. RB.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
ALAMEDA, CAL., July 7, 1889.
Sir: I herewith submit my reportupon the study of Icerya purchasi in
Australia and New Zealand and the introduction of its parasites and
enemies into California, undertaken under your direction and in ac-
cordance with your letter of instructions. *
Respectfully yours,
ALBERT KOEBELE,
Special Agent.
Prot CoV. RILEY;
U. S. Entomologist.
*The following is extracted from the letter of instructions :
WASHINGTON, July 3, 1888.
* ** As you are already aware you are sent to Australia for the purpose of mak-
ing an investigation of the parasites and other natural enemies of Icerya purchasi
with a view of introducing them into California. It will be necessary for you to go to
Adelaide to see Mr. Frazer 8, Crawford, who sent over the first Dipterous parasites
and the Celostomas (or rather Monophlebus crawfordi). This Dipterous parasite has
been named by Dr. Willsiton Lestophonus icerye, and at Adelaide you will probably
be able to study this insect carefully. Make the most careful investigations where
you can learn of the occurrence of Icerya, and find all of its natural enemies in Austra
lia. Find out also the periods at which these parasites oviposit and ascertain the
season at which success in importation will be most likely with each and all of them.
Once on the ground you can see for yourself just what will be necessary to be done in
order to bring about this result. You should also endeavor to place the Department
in correspondence with as many observers as you can interest in the subject, and
should by all means endeavor to get at least one man who will be able to devote some
time to the matter and continue observations after you leave. It is barely possible
that we may be able to re-imburse some such person for the time expended, but for
this I will write you later, if indeed I do not see you personally in Australia in No-
vember. You will, of course, inquire immediately upon arriving in Melbourne concern-
ing the largest orange-growing districts in Australia, and also make inquiries as to the
best places for observing Icerya, aside from Adelaide. If you will visit the Botanic
Gardens in Melbourne you will be able to get some information there. Baron von
Mueller, formerly director of the Botanic Gardens, is still a resident of that city and
you will find him a very well-informed person to consult. I inclose you letters of in-
troduction both to Mr. Crawford and Baron von Mueller. * * *
On this trip your salary will be paid as usual by this Department, but your ex-
penses by the Department of State through Mr. McCoppin. * * *
7
REPORT OF THE FLUTED SCALE OF THE ORANGE AND ITS
NATURAL ENEMIES IN AUSTRALIA,
By ALBERT KOEBELE.
In accordance with the commission received from the Hon. Norman
J. Colman, United States Commissioner of Agriculture, and your letter
of July 3, 1888, I left San Francisco on August 25, and arrived at Auck-
land, New Zealand, on September 14, where some hours were spentin get-
ting information in regard to Icerya. I visited Mr. W. Will, editor of
the New Zealand Herald and Auckland Weekly News, who then, and
subsequently on my later visit, gave me valuable information in regard
to the occurrence and disappearance of Icerya in the Auckland districts,
as well as many other points of interest in horticulture ; and also Mr. T.
F. Cheeseman, curator of the Auckland Museum, who readily accom-
panied me to a place full of Albizzia (Acacia) lophantha, Bentham, which
had been about three years previously completely covered with Icerya.
I made a careful search for specimens on these trees, yet only four full-
grown females with large egg-sacs could be found. On one of the scales
two rather large mites were feeding, attached to the under side; and the
masses of old and moldy remains of Icerya were still visible on the
trunks of trees.
A residence on which formerly were many orange trees was also vis-
ited. ‘I‘here all of the trees had been cut down on account of the num-
erous scales, and at the time of my visit no Icerya could be found and
none were observed during the year as the proprietors informed me.
No one was able to state the exact reason of the disappearance of the
scales; some disease was the supposed cause.
The steamer left Auckland the following day and arrived in Sydney,
New South Wales, September 20. I remained there for four days in
search of Icerya. On my first walk a number of them were discovered
at the town hall premises, infesting a Pittosporum (P. wndulatum), and
the succeeding days a few more were found in one of the public parks,
also on this Pittosporum. A large isolated acacia tree full of the scales
was found in front of a private house in the eastern part of Sydney;
all were full-grown females with more or less developed egg-sacs and ap-
9
10
parently in a healthy condition. As the trees infested were all inclosed,
no proper examination could be made and the few obtained at the town
hall showed no trace of parasites. A trip was also made to Parramatta,
about 14 miles to the west of Sydney, to look into some of the orange
orchards. I found nearly all the trees badly infested with the red-scale
(Aspidiotus aurantii Maskell, Fig. 1), and still worse with what I con-
Fig. 1.—Aspidiotus auwrantii Maskell: 1, scales on leaf of orange, natural size; 1a, adult male; 1b,
scales of female; ic, scale of male—enlarged (after Comstock).
sidered to be Mytilaspis gloverii Packard.* Indeed, some of the trees
are completely covered by this latter scale, having the appearance of
an old coat of whitewash on the bark which had partly fallen off. None
of the several orange-growers there visited had ever seen ap Icerya or
was familiar with the insect. I left Sydney on the 24th and arrived in
Melbourne the following day, having in the meantime, through the
kindness of the United States consul, obtained a free pass over the New
South Wales Railway, which courtesy was shown me by all the colonies
subsequently visited. Indeed, I can not speak too highly of the kind-
ness Shown me by all the Government officials, and of the interest they
took in the successful execution of my work. I remained in Melbourne
for six days, during which time I visited Baron Ferdinand von Mueller,
to whom you had given me letters of introduction. This gentleman
assured ine that the Icerya never became extensively injurious in Aus-
*A careful study of the pygidial characters of this scale shows it to be much nearer
M. pomorum than M. gloverii. It seems, however, to be distinct from the former and
will probably prove to be new.
ie)
tralia. Occasionally and in certain spots they became numerous, but
always disappeared again. Ialso met Mr. C. French, Baron von Muel-
ler’s assistant, who has had some experience in entomology. He
claims that the scale has been known to him for thirty-four years,
yet he has never seen it in large numbers.
At the Zoological Gardens I found on a species of Eucalyptus a coc-
cid in such numbers as to cover the under side of all the larger branches
and the stem in part. Many of the winged males were secreted among
the crevices of bark, with their two long white setous hairs protruding.
Numerous larve of a coleopter were found under chips of bark feeding
upon the scales, apparently belonging to some clerid. I never met
with these larvee again in my later researches nor with the coccid men-
tioned. A great variety of scales was observed at Melbourne; the
most pernicious amongst them, a species of Aspidiotus, deserved atten-
tion. This is A. rossi Crawford, figured on his plate 18 of the Coccide,
but as yet no description has appeared to my knowledge. I have seen
olive trees completely covered by this seale; it will attack almost any
kind of tree or shrub as I later observed. Many of the shrubs in the
Botanical Gardens in Melbourne infested by this scale were in a dying
condition. .The introduction of this pest would be of serious conse-
quence to the United States and we should be on our guard against
this as well as a second species of waxy scale, probably a species of
Ceroplastes. This last is covered by a thick, smooth, white, waxy mat-
ter which effectually protects it. Nothing would destroy this scale,
except remedies against the newly hatched larve, which, before they
exude any wax, are easily killed. The insect was observed all over
eastern Australia, and it was numerous in the Botanical Garden at Syd-
ney and in the woods near Brisbane. At the Botanical Gardens they
could find no remedy except cutting down the infested plants. I recom-
mended a strong resin wash for the newly hatched larve. No Icerya
could be found during my short stay at Melbourne.
I arrived at Adelaide, South Australia, on October 2, with letters of
introduction to Mr. Frazer 8S. Crawford, of the surveyor general’s office,
who received me very kindly and promised me his assistance, which
promise he honorably fulfiiled throughout my stay in Adelaide. I saw
the man who discovered the parasites of Icerya (Lestophonus icerye),
and, indeed, felt very bappy when he promised to show me a large col.
ony of the scales on the following day. Early the next morning Mr. A.
Molineux, agricultural editor of the South Australian Register and Ade-
laide Observer, and proprietor of the Garden and Field, showed me about
a dozen orange and lemon trees in a private garden in the suburbs of
Adelaide all more or less infested with Icerya, and had been so for the
previous two years. The scales were nearly all full grown, or rather
nearly all of them had begun to exude cottony matter and deposit eggs,
yet they were not quite so far advanced as those observed at Sydney.
The very first scale examined contained nine pupe of the parasitic fly,
Lestophonus, and the scale was still living. Nearly all of the many
\
12
others examined proved to have either larvz or puparia within them ;
none of the flies had at that time made their appearance. I attended
the gardeners’ meeting at Adelaide on October 6, in order to get infor-
mation as to the occurrence of Icerya, yet but very few of the gentlemen
were acquainted with the insect. To show how rare Icerya is in South
Australia, Mr. J. G. O. Tepper, of the museum at Adelaide, a qualified
entomologist, who has collected insects all his life, has known Icerya
only for the last two years. He never met before this with any speci-
mens in all his collecting trips through South Australia. On October
15 I made a trip with Messrs. Crawford and Tepper to North Adelaide,
where some Icerya were said to exist; we found there in one garden a
few orange and lemon trees with the scales, which were subsequently
collected for shipment. In another garden, and also on orange, an oc-
Fic. 2.—Vedalia cardinalis: a, full grown larva; b, pupa, dorsal Fic. 3.—Vedalia cardi-
view, inclosed iz last larval skin; c, pupa, naked, ventral view— nalis, adult—enlarged
all enlarged (after Riley). (after Riley).
casional specimen was found. I discovered there, for the first time,
feeding upon a large female Icerya, the Lady-bird, which will become
famed in the United States— Vedalia cardinalis (Figs. 2 and 3). I called
the attention of both the gentlemen to this in-
sect, yet neither of them had ever seen it nor
knew the beetle. Mr. Tepper has charge of a
large collection of insects, and especially of Co-
leoptera, at the South Australian Museum. Mr.
Smith, the proprietor of the nursery, also called
my attention to a beetle, a curculio, which is
very destructive to olive-trees, eating the young
shoots and leaves of the plants during the night
and secreting itself in the ground during the
day-time (Fig. 4).*
Through the bureau of forestry at Adelaide I
was informed that a colony of Icerya existed at
Mannum, on the Murray River, and a trip to that
place was made on October 18. In two gardens
Icerya was present; in one of them they ex-
(Otiorhynchus cribricollis) — E
enlarged (original). isted on only a few of the many orange-trees,
and none examined showed any parasites, while in the other on two
*Dr, Sharp, to whom we submitted specimens, has kindly determined this beetle to
be Otiorhynchus cribricollis Gyll., a common pest to the Olive in the Mediterranean
region.
13
trees that were infested many of the scales were parasitized. In addi-
tion to the parasites, numerous larve and eggs of a lace-winged fly
(Chrysopa) were observed, the larve preying upon the scales and chiefly
upon their eggs. They were covered so much with the cottony matter
of Icerya as to resemble this insect very closely, and were difficult to
pick out from the torn masses of egg-sacs. I also observed here a cole-
opterous (Coccinellid) larva, seen before at Adelaide, feeding on the
scales, and this proved to be that of the Vedalia. All the scales here,
as well as all the predaceous larve found feeding upon them, were col-
lected and taken to Adelaide to be shipped to California, together with
those found at the latter place. They were kept boxed in a cool cellar.
The scales in Adelaide and suburbs were collected on October 24 and
25 at a place in North Adelaide. Nearly every one of the Iceryas ex-
posed to light and sun contained parasites, and many of these had
’ already left, as numerous holes were visible. Of the scales found on a
small and bushy mandarin tree, where they were excluded from the
sun, only a few contained parasites, but the larve of the Chrysopa were
abundant. Most of the larger egg-sacs of Icerya were torn by them
and the contents devoured.
I observed also that many of the young scales, only sufficiently large
to contain a single puparium of the fly, were infested, the expanded
skin of Icerya forming a thin covering over the puparium of the Lesto-
phonus. This was observed at all places where Icerya occurred. No
doubt the eggs of the pest must be deposited while the scales are yet
quite small, probably even before the first molt, and certainly later,
as the scales will go on feeding and increasing in size until the larve
within them pupate. At this time large numbers of the scales were
hatching and also of the flies. Only one living fly was observed on
October 24 while collecting the scales, sitting between two large egg-
masses and hardly visible to the eye. This and a second specimen
taken under similar circumstances were the only ones I observed in nat-
ure. Ihave never met with asingle specimen depositing eggs or even
sitting on an Icerya nor flying around. I finished collecting for my
first shipment on the 25th and estimated that I had about 6,000 Icerya,
which in return would produce at an average about four parasites (Les-
tophonus) each. They were packed partly in wooden and partly in tin
boxes. Small branches generally full of scales were cut so as to fit
exactly lengthwise into the box. With these the boxes were filled and
all loose scales placed in between, plenty of space remaining for any
of the insects within to move about freely without danger of being
crushed by loose sticks. Salicylic acid was used in small quantities in
the tin boxes to prevent mold, yet these, as I have been informed by
Mr. Coquillett, arrived in a more or less moldy condition, while those
in wooden boxes always arrived safe. In addition, Dr. Schomburgh,
director of the botanical gardens at Adelaide, kindly fitted up for me
a Wardian case which was filled with living plants of oranges and Pit-
14
tosporum in pots. Large numbers of Icerya were placed in this, and
such larvee as were found feeding upon them, including some of a Scym-
nus* (Fig. 5), only occasionally found with Icerya, yet very abundant on
various Eucalyptus scales, especially on Eriococecus
eucalypti. Of this I sent large numbers to California
in my later shipments, as they were easily collected
by the hundreds under bark of Eucalyptus infested
with this EHriococcus. Mr. F. M. Webster brought
me the same insect in numbers from Tasmania, to-
gether with the Hriococcus on Eucalyptus. The
Fic. 5.—Khizobius ventra- object of this was to have the Lestophonus go on
lis Er.—enlarged (orig- Z es #
inal). breeding within the case during the voyage. No
doubt many infested scales arrived in Los Angeles.
I found on examining the tree, on April 12, 1889, under which this
case had been placed with a tent overit, that from several of the Iceryas.
the Lestophonus had issued. This case, as Mr. Coquillett informed me
in letter of November 30, arrived in good condition, except that the
putty had been knocked off in several places, leaving holes large enough
for the parasites to escape. Before opening the case he found two coc-
cinellid larve crawling on the outside, and these when placed with
the Icerya attacked it at once. He further said that there were only
about half a dozen living Chrysopa adults. This would show thatthe
Lestophonus was still issuing on arrival in California and all turned out
more favorably than I had anticipated on seeing the box handled in
such a rough manner by the steamer hands at Sydney, to which point
I accompanied this as wellas allthe subsequent shipments. I expected
little good would come out of this method of sending and therefore con-
cluded to send only small parcels on ice thereafter, as had been partly
done at first. If once the insects could be placed in good condition in
the ice-house on the steamer just before leaving, where a temperature
of 38° Fah. at first and about 46° Fah. on arrival in San Francisco
existed, they must arrive safely. To accomplish this, the parasites with
their hosts were all collected the last three days before leaving Ade-
laide, and on arriving home were immediately placed in a cool cellar.
On the trip from Adelaide to Sydney, which takes two days by train,
my insects came generally in an ice-box on the sleeping-car.
On November 2 I made a trip to Gordon, 11 miles north of Sydney,
Mr. James Harold, agricultural reporter of the Town and Country
Journal, Sydney, having furnished me with the address of a prominent
fruit-grower there. Mr. Harold has traveled much over Australia
gathering information for his paper, yet, as he assured me, he never met
with an Icerya. The same answer was received from the gentleman at
Gordon, who has been living in the colony for thirty-four years and has
raised oranges for thirty-two years. He knew only the three scales upon_
* Dr. Sharp described this as Scymnus restitutor (Insect Life, I, 364), but has since
written us that it is identical with Rhizobius ventralis Er., of the Munich catalogue.
He states, however, that it belongs rather to Scymnus than to Rhizobius.
15
oranges, viz: Lecanium olee (Fig. 6) and the Mytilaspis and Aspidiotus
aurantit. This latter is not doing any serious damage to his trees, pro-
viding they are well taken care of, yet he assured me that in some parts
of the colony it is impossible to raise oranges on account of the ravages
of this scale. For the Mytilaspis he uses sulphur and lime as a wash,
applying it with a paint brush. This he claims need only be repeated
every three years, as during this time the trees remain comparatively
free. The mixture is prepared in the following way:
Unslacked lime, two parts; sulphur, one part; water is poured on this
in sufficient quantities to boil and unite with it. It is applied asa
white-wash to the trees and to prevent injury should not be too strong
+
NB ye
Fic. 6.—Lecanium ole: 1, adult females on olive leaves—natural size; la, female—enlarged (after
Comstock).
Besides the scales, an Aphis appears occasionally on orange and peach
trees. Two beetles are numerous and destructive to the melon vines
here. One of them found at the time is a Diabrotica, often received by
Mr. Crawford, of Adelaide, as doing great injury to the melon tribe.
This gentleman, however, claims that all injury can be avoided by dust-
ing powdered lime over the plants. The beetles, he said, will not at-
tack leaves thus treated. I found here, as well as all over Australia
and New Zealand, the Woolly-Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera), yet they
could be seen only on the branches, as allor nearly all the apples raised
in the colonies and New Zealand are said to be grafted on blight-proof
16
stock. For this purpose, the Northern Spy of our continent is consid-
ered the best; next comes the Majetin, as Mr. Will, of Auckland, in-
formed me. The Irish peach was standing completely free of Aphis
between badly infested trees. A large number of blight-proof trees
are sold by nurserymen in Australia and New Zealand, and only such
are planted in these countries as far as the roots are concerned. Mr.
Will said that the Northern Spy will produce the best roots; on this is
grafted the Majetin as the stem, and any desired
variety may be selected for the upper part or
branches. At this place I observed a small
black and lemon-yellow lady-bird (Fig. 7) feeding
upon the Woolly-Aphis; the same was also ob-
served at Toowoomba, Queensland, under similar
circumstances.* I did not meet with it outside of
these places. No Icerya could_be found on the
orange trees, but the same day, two young spec-
Fic. 7.—Leis conformis, found imens were found in the woods, about 2 miles
feeding on Woolly Aphis— ; ‘
enlarged (original). distant, one of them on a pea-vine and the
second on aspecies of Salix, both near the ground.
November 5 I visited Mr. Joseph Purser at Castle Hil, to the west
of Sydney, also a prominent fruit-grower. No Icerya were found on the
numerous orange trees at this place. Mr. Purser reports having met
with an occasional specimen only on his orange trees, never more than
half adozen. A short distance from the orchard I noticed a small pond
on the edge of which were growing a few small bushes of Acacia. On
examination I found two large Iceryas with egg sacs and several empty
skins of scales. Mr. Purser informed me that in former years be has
often seen the scales upon trees growing along river banks. During this
same day, while searching through the bush, I found upon the needle-
bush Hakia acicularis, growing amongst numerous Acacia longifolia, a
well developed Icerya fastened to the main stem. A careful search
was made on all the plants growing there, yet with the exception of a
peculiar Coelostoma upon Acacia, no scales could be found. One speci-
men of Icerya was found on this Acacia at the botanical gardens in
Adelaide. Mr. Purser, who is also much troubled with the Mytilaspis
mentioned, used as a remedy kerosene-tar, 1 pint; soft-soap, 3 pounds;
sulphur, 5 pounds. These are boiled in 10 gallons of water and the
trees washed with this mixture with a paint-brush, only the trunk and
larger limbs being treated. The gentleman claims that all the scales
on trees so treated will be killed and the trees will remain free from
scales from seven to nine years.
I returned to Adelaide on November 8, as I considered that the best
field to obtain the material. On the 15th a trip was made about 300
miles north of Adelaide, but I found nothing of interest in the insect
line on this journey, with the exception along the road of large num-
*This species is Leis conformis Boisd., according to Dr. Sharp, to whom we sent
specimens.
Ie
bers of locusts traveling south in search of food, nothing being left for
them in the interior to feed upon. The country around Quorn was so
dry and hot that some Hucalyptus rostrata in a dry river-bed were all
the green vegetation that could be seen, and the locusts still met with
were unable to feed. Finding the search for Icerya in this district use-
less, I returned to Adelaide, where subsequently new colonies were
discovered for shipment. In conversation about the grasshoppers en
route, a gentleman remarked that only in such unusually dry seasons
as the present would the locusts migrate, there being no food left for
them in the interior of South Australia. Those around Quorn, he re-
marked, leit in a southeasterly direction down the valley toward Ade-
laide, while those coming from the interior went towards Spencer’s
Gulf. On my trip I observed them most abundantly about Black Rock
traveling south, not in clouds but scattered and never very high, simi-
lar to our Caloptenus devastator in California in 1885,.*
November 29 I began collecting material for my second shipment.
Already on some of the trees, well exposed to sun, about 90 per cent.
of the flies had left the scales, while on the trees in more shady places
morethan half of the parasites were still within their hosts. Nota
single fly was observed, and yet they must have been about in large
numbers. Instead of this, I noticed sitting and walking about the
scales a peculiar Chalcidt (Fig. 8); this was suspected to be a secondary
Fic. 8.—Euryischia lestophoni, dorsal and side views—enlarged (after Riley.)
parasite, and during the day I noticed them ovipositing in the infested
Iceryas. The Lady-birds were at that time quite abundant in egg,
larva, pupa, and imago states, and special pains were taken not to
miss any of these during the collecting. The following four days were
we eS eee
” As kindly determined by M. Henri de Saussure, of Geneva, Switzerland. This is
the Chortologa australis of his monograph of the Tryxalidz, not yet completed.
t This is the species referred to in our annual report for 1888, p. 92, under the MS.
name Kuryischia lestophoni.
14151—No. 21
9
_
18
spent in gathering Icerya and itsenemies. Many of the secondary par-
asites were again noticed, yet not a single Lestophonus. I gathered
during this time probably six thousand scales, and hardly a specimen
was noticed among them that was not parasitized by the Lestophonus.
All of them contained either puparia of the fly or empty holes where the
flies had issued. Knowing that if we should introduce the secondary
parasite the good work of Lestophonus on Icerya would be greatly re-
stricted, I sent the following notice to Mr. Coquillett, and also to your
office.
On account of a parasite of Lestophonus iceryew, remove the infested scales that I
send from the tree they were placed on, after six weeks, and transfer into large glass
jars; examine daily by stupefying the insects that have issued, with chloroform or
ether, empty contents on table, pick out the’flies and destroy their parasites. Form
a new colony with every consignment you receive.
In your letter of January 3 in regard to this secondary parasite you
wrote:
The parasite bred from Kermes and the one from confined Icerya and which you
think to be parasitic upon Lestophonus are different species of the same genus. The
genusis an entirely new one belonging to the Chalcid subfamily Zlasmine. This sub-
family is an extremely interesting one, and up to the present time has contained only
the typical genus Llasmus, so that this finding of a new genus is important. Hlasmus
contains both secondary and primary parasites, so that it will be necessary to secure
pretty good evidence regarding this new form before we can accept it as either one
or the other.
From seventy-five specimens of Kermes no Lestophonus was bred. On
the 26th I left Adelaide on my way to Sydney, with what I considered
even a better shipment than the first. Unfortunately this lot arrived
in a bad condition at San Francisco, owing to a gale on the route when
the parcels fell off the shelving in the ice-house, in which they had
been placed, and most of them were crushed by cakes of ice falling on
them. In my opinion, even such severe treatment as this would not
destroy so very many of the pup of Lestophonus, which are not soft,
and if crushed out of the scale wili produce flies if properly taken
care of later, as I had ample opportunity to observe while in Australia.
Among this lot of things were also about fifteen hundred eggs of the
Chrysopa which were collected on Kangaroo Acacia (A. armata) infested
by a Dactylopius, which is often taken to be Icerya. The scale is some-
times so abundant that the plants are entirely covered with it. This
was the case during my visit, and, as Mr. Crawford informed me, also in
1882. Mr. Maskell, to whom specimens were forwarded by Mr. Craw-
ford, said that the insect belongs to the Dactylopine. The eggs of the
Chrysopa were so abundant that often from twenty to thirty could be
counted on a single small outer branch of a few inches in length, yet
many of these had already hatched. The number of Lady-birds in all
stages sent with this lot amounted to several hundred. The weather
was unusually hot during two days of collecting, the thermometer regis-
tered 108° Fah. in the shade, and from one small box left in room
over night, where the temperature had not been below 90° Fah., about
19
fifty of the flies issued during the night and early morning. They
were crawling on the window at 6a.m. Many more were found within
the box, with wings not yet developed.
I returned again to Adelaide within four days, the time taken in
making the trip. I wrote to the United States consular agent, Mr.
George Harris, at Brisbane, Queensland, to ascertain for me the occur-
rence of Icerya in that district. Through the department of forestry
at Adelaide I was informed that Icerya existed at Stansbury, on the
Yorka Peninsula, at the place of Mr.F. Wurm. Accordingly a trip was
made across the water on October 1, and I was kindly and hospitably
received by Mr. Wurm. That gentleman showed me a small orange-
tree completely covered with Icerya, but aside from this, not a single
specimen could be found for miles around, nor had they ever been ob-
served before this. The tree infested with the scales was completely
covered with a small black ant, so much so that several could be count-
ed upon each of the scales at the same time. Upon examination only
two specimens of the Icerya were found to be parasitized by the Les-
tophonus, and these had already left. No doubt the abundance of the
ants upon the scales prevented the flies from ovipositing. I recom-
mended keeping the ants off the tree as the scales would then dis-
appear.
How often must the mother flies have been hovering over this young
tree in their attempt to lay eggs, and how many of them must have
been carried off as food for the young of the industrious ants! Mr.
Wurm also informed me that Icerya had been found by him upon the
roots of black grass. On examination, however, this proved to be an
entirely different coccid, Lecanium oleew, which had found its way to
this place in small colonies on olive-trees. The cut-worms had done
considerable damage to fruit-trees, grape-vines, and other vegetation
during November. Some of the apple-trees were completely stripped
of their foliage. Melolonthid larve had been very injurious to the
wheat crop by eating the roots.* The common grasshopper was also in
abundance here.t
On December 6, from four large specimens of Icerya that had been
inclosed, thirty-four flies (Lestophonus) and five parasites of the latter
had issued. J examined condition of Icerya on place from which last
sending was made, and from which nearly every one of the old and
infested scales had been removed, the trees at the time being full of
large Iceryas; yet at this date but very few of them were left, the coc-
cinellid larve and the Chrysopa in conjunction doing good work, eat-
ing, no doubt, the healthy as well as the infested scales. Some of them
had apparently gone through second molt, yet the greater part were
* Three species of Melolonthid beetles were collected at this point by Mr. Koebele,
and being unknown to our fauna were sent to Dr. Sharp, who has found them to be
Scitala nigrolineata Boisd., S. pruinosa Dalm., the third species representing a new
genus near Scitala.
t The same undetermined species referred to on p. 17.
20
still in the first stage. Only very small larve of the Lestophonus were
found within scales after first and second molts. Within a nearly fall-
grown specimen on trunk of lemon-tree, the only large one found there,
two larve of the fly were nearly full-grown.
I left on December 10 for Melbourne, seeing that it was necessary to
hunt up a new field. There I had hopes of gathering a sufficient quan-
tity for a shipment. The largest colony I was able to discover at Mel-
bourne existed in a church-yard on Collins street, upon small trees of
Pittosporum undulatum. Icould not find the proper person to apply to
for admittance, and a policeman whom I consulted in regard to getting
the tempting specimens advised me ‘‘not to jump from the fence as
they surely would have me arrested.”
T left them undisturbed and went in search of others. A few speci-
mens existed in the gardens of the government buildings; an occa-
sional specimen in the park adjoining the Exposition grounds ; some on
a: hedge in front of a hotel, and single specimens were found on trees
in a park at St. Kilda, while at the same place on a garden hedge quite
anumber were found; all these on Pittosporum undulatum and P. (engeni-
oides?). At the last-named place the lady-birds were found at work,
and all were gathered later for shipment. I went east of Melbourne as
far as Bairnsdale, yet no Icerya could be found. A strong attempt
was made to find out the whereabouts of the Monophleebids of which
Mr. Crawford had sent specimens to California. They could not be dis-
covered in numbers in the woods, yet in the parks at St. Kilda I was
soon rewarded. by finding the insects looked for, viz.: Monophlebus
crawfordi Maskell (Fig. 9), under loose bark of various Eucalypti, em-
bedded in cottony matter, and the single, (often 2 inches) long, white,
setous, anal hairs sticking out.* Only a few dozen of the monstrous
scales, however, could be gathered in a hard day’s work. Up in the tree-
tops I often found a similar Monophlebid, only varying in color some-
what. It is as large, or even larger, than M. crawfordi, and sits fast-
ened to the branches and exposed without any cottony attachments,
although sometimes under chips of bark.
On my way home in the evening one of these scales came hurriedly
running down on the trunk of a tree. So the next day, at the northern
park at Melbourne, the ground at the base of the Eucalypti was ex-
amined. Here I found, sometimes lying loose on top and dead (in this
case always destroyed by Lestophonus) and below ground to a depth of
3 inches, in a small cave nicely embedded in loose cottony matter if
healthy, or generally mixed up with the ground if parasitized, large
numbers of these scales. These, Mr. Coquillett informed me on my re-
turn to Los Angeles in April, gave the best results in Lestophonus, as
these parasites were still issuing then, four months after they were col-
*Not mentioned in the description of Monophlwbus crawfordi. See “On some New
South Australian Coccide,” by W. M. Maskell. (From the Transactions of the Royal
Society of South Australia 1888.)—A. K.
21
lected. I have counted as many as sixty-two holes in one of these
scales, showing what a number of parasites they are able to support. A
third species of these large Coccids was found attached to the roots and
base of Eucalyptus below ground, even larger than the two preceding.
About forty specimens of these produced no parasites. One specimen,
probably of this latter species, was found embedded under bark between
the forks of a very large Eucalyptus about 8 feet from the ground. This
measured fully 1 inch in length, and was about two-thirds as broad,
being nearly round.
Fic. 9.—Monophlebus crawfordi: a,female from above; 0, same from below—enlarged; c, antenna;
d, tarsus of same—still more enlarged (original).
I left for Sydney on the 24th to place the insects in an ice-house previ-
ous to shipment. In the meantime a letter had been received from Bris-
bane stating that Icerya occurred there occasionally in numbers, and
having had a letter from you in which you expressed the hope that I
would be able to visit Mr. Carl H. Hartmann, a correspondent of yours
at Toowoomba, who had found Icerya on his oranges in 1886, I started
for Queensland on December 29 and arrived at Toowoomba early on
January 1,1889, During the same day a full-grown female Icerya was
discovered in the woods about three miles from this place on Acacia
decurrens. During a search of several hours no other specimens were
found. I visited the Range nursery the following day and met the son
and the brother of Mr. Hartmann, who himself had died from the effects
22
of fever contracted while on a scientific trip to New Guinea. I also
met the man who had been employed at the time in 1886 when Mr. Hart-
mann received an illustration from Brisbane of Icerya,and directed him
to look over the trees for specimens, when several scales were found.
Since then, however, none have been found. While looking over the
lemon and orange trees I found oue single nearly full-grown specimen,
but aside from this no trace of them. A peculiar Coccid resembling
Iverya somewhat in structure was found on an apple-tree. The gentle-
man informed me that Icerya was always most noticeable in wet seasons,
but that it never appeared in such numbers as to be injurious.
I found here in abundance the large hemipterous insect so destruct-
ive to the orange in Queensland and New South Wales. A second
species somewhat smaller than this, yet equally mischievous, was found
at Adelaide (Fig. 10). Trees were observed at this place with all the
fruit and most of the young
shoots destroyed. Both spe- > e.
cies live and grow upon the S
sap of fruit and tender
twigs.* Aspidiotus aurantir
was present here in numbers “ome? RS
and also Lecanium olee, both
upon oranges; the latter,
however, is kept well in ——
check by a _ lepidopterous
Fic, 11.—Thalpochares cocciphaga—
slightly enlarged (original).
Fic. 10.— Mictis pro- ;
fana—natural size (Noctuid)larva, Thalpochares
Gosia). covciphaga, Meyrick (Fig. 11).
Several young orange trees had been completely cleaned by larve, and
eight chrysalids were found upon a young plant. Mr. H. Hartmann
also informed me that near Brisbane a dipterous larva existed which
occasionally destroyed all the orange crops, and in 1886, which was a
very wet season, a dipterous larva destroyed not only all the oranges
but also nearly all the other fruits, even the apples and pears. He also
gave me the following list as blight-proof apple-trees: ‘Northern Spy,
Majetin, Irish Peach, Streaked Peach, Hartmann’s Seedlings Nos. 1 and
5, New England Pigeon, Shepherd’s Perfection, Chubb’s Seedling, Can-
vade, Flushed Peach.”
On January 5, having obtained free passes for the Queensland rail-
ways, I left Toowoomba for Brisbane. On my arrival at the hotel I met
with specimens of Icerya on an ornamental plant in the passage-way.
This and a few other specimens found in gardens through the city were
all I could find, yet in damp seasons they occur sometimes in numbers,
as I learned from several gentlemen acquainted with the insect.
Mr. Henry Tryon, assistant curator of the Museum, kindly introduced
me to several persons in Brisbane. He himself was about to publish a
*The second of these insects is Mictis profana Fabr., and the other is a species of
Aspongopus.
23
paper on Icerya and its parasites, of which he has shown mea small Chal-
cid of which he bred several specimens from Icerya inclosed in paper
box, saying it was a true parasite.* I bred this same insect from a few
Specimens of an Icerya sent to me by Dr. Bancroft, of Brisbane, as feed-
ing upon mangrove tree (Avicennia officinalis, Linn.). This seale dif-
fers in coloration from the true J. purchasi and may prove to be a new
species. Mr. Maskell, to whom the insect was shown, thinks it only a
variety. It would be an interesting one, however, for of all the J.
purchasi that I have seen, none show such a uniform bright yellow
color. No specimens found on mangrove at Auckland show such
bright yellow color. Mr. Tryon is of the opinion that Icerya originated
in China, from the fact that nearly all specimens he found at Brisbane
wereupon plants from that country. Dr. Bancroft, in his paper on
Coccide (Philosophical Society of Queensland, vol. 1, August, 1869),
referred to the then undescribed Icerya, and at that time, ashe assured
me, he had been acquainted with the insect for several years. The
doctor further mentioned the occurrence of a scale on the sugar-cane
in Queensland living on the roots of the young plants, and as these be-
came larger, behind the leaves. It had been imported with the canes
from Mauritius. He promised to secure specimens for me. No doubt
this will prove to be J. sacchari.t
In the woods around Brisbane but few Coccids were found during my
brief stay. The white waxy scale (Ceroplastes) so abundant on various
plants in cultivation was here observed in large numbers upon a small
shrub. Of the Monophlebus, which I had been informed was almost
always numerous around Brisbane, only an occasional specimen could
be found. Everything was so extremely dry that I gave up my in-
tended trip by steamer further north, and as there was little prospect
of obtaining sufficient material for a shipment at this place, I returned
slowiy towards Melbourne, making occasional stops along the road, yet
without discovering any Icerya. At Melbourne I was fortunate in finding
many more of the Monophlebus. On a few trees, under the bark, they
occurred by the dozens, often many together, but they were all dried up
and the flies had left sometime previous. Those in ground were still
in good condition. A large number of them had deposited their eggs
and were shriveled up, yet during the two days a fair number were found
parasitized. At Sydney, January 21 to 23, a number of Iceryas with
parasites, and probably two hundred or more of the Lady-birds in all
*Mr. Tryon has recently published in a pamphlet entitled ‘Report on Insect and
Fungus Pests, No. 1,” a general description of this parasite, but without attempt to
name or properly place it. From the description it seems to be identical with a true
parasite of Icerya, which we -have received from Mr. Crawford, and which we have
characterized, since the above was in type, as Ophelosia crawfordi, n. g., 1. sp.
t We find among Mr. Koebele’s Brisbane material a small Coccinellid not here re-
ferred to, but which is labeled ‘‘feeding on Icerya.” Dr. Sharp, to whom we sent a
specimen, determines it as Cryptolemus montrouzieri Muls.
24
stages, were collected, most of them in the Town Hall garden. I found
here also feeding upon the Seales a few specimens of a small Seymnus
in all its stages which were inclosed.* The first brood of Iceryas im
warm and exposed places at Sydney had by this time become nearly
grown, some of them beginning to exude cottony matter, while others
in more secluded spots were quite small. The isolated acacia tree, so
full of Icerya in September, had become entirely clear, nothing but a
few old and torn egg-masses being visible. With this I finished col-
lecting the parasites and enemies of Icerya in Australia, as from letters.
received from Mr. Crawford, at Adelaide, dated January 11 and 12, there
was little hope of obtaining sufficient materiai at that place for another
consignment, nor would it have paid to search for Monophlebus in the ,
ground, as at the time they could not be found in large numbers in the
woods. Moreover, many of their parasites had already left, while the
Icerya still known to me at Melbourne and Sydney were not sufficient
to make a good shipment.
A letter received at this time from you in which you directed me to
visit New Zealand and study Icerya there until the arrival of the next
steamer for San Francisco, in case the exposition commission would pay
expenses, was Shown to Hon. Frank McCoppin, who at once consented to
my proposed trip. I therefore left Sydney on the steamer of January 23
with some hope of clearing up the mysterious disappearance of Icerya
in New Zealand. Arrived at Auckland on the 28th, the Scales with
parasites and Lady-birds were repacked from tin into wooden boxes, and
were found in excellent condition. Everything within the tin boxes had
_the appearance of being placed there only a few hours previous. There
was no indication of any mold. Some fresh Iceryas found in a private
garden at Auckland, on Acacia decurrens, were inclosed as food for the
Lady-bird larve. These latter Seales were in a small colony all close
together ou a few small branches, and numbered about eight hundred
specimens. No insects preying upon them were found. At the United
States consulate a letter was found awaiting me from Mr. R. Allan
Wight, dated October 10, 1888, in which the writer mentioned various
localities infested with Icerya, wishing me to visit Hawke’s Bay, at
Napier, where the Seales were still numerous, although fast disappear-
ing, and where a good field for observation would be open. I therefore
left Auckland on January 30, overland, the New Zealand Government,
through our consul, having furnished me with a free pass for four
months. On this trip not many observations could be made.
The Cabbage Aphis was found in large numbers all over the northern
island of New Zealand as wellasin Australia. A Coccinellid was found
subsequently at Napier feeding upon this Aphis in large numbers. It
is described by Mr. W. Colenso as C. nova-zealandica (Fig. 12). About
tifty specimens of these were collected and placed in empty pill-boxes. Of
these twenty-one were still living on my arrival at Alameda, where they
ing to a new species of a new genus.
25
small numbers; this is C0. tasmanii (Fig. 13). The Cabbage Plutella (Plu-
tella cruciferarum Zell.) was here as well as all over Australia, observed
tobe very abundant. Mr. French, of Melbourne, had a specimen on exhi-
bition with the name of *‘ Plusia crucifera” as injurious tocabbage. The
small Tineid, so destructive to potatoes in California, and no doubt
already distributed over the most of the Western States, has been known
in New Zealand for years, and it is doing the same mischief all over
Australia, where it originated. In conversation with a merchant from
Denver, Colo., recently, he said that a year ago he received three car-
loads of California potatoes, infested with these worms to such a de.
gree that they could not be sold. I also met here, wherever apples are
grown, with what is probably Uytilaspis pomorum Bouché, the species
previously referred to as such.
Fic. 12.— Coccinella nova-zealandica, larva and adult— Fic. 13.—Cocecinella tasmanit,
enlarged (original). adult—enlarged (original).
Mr. A. Hamilton, curator of the museum at Napier, who had been
informed by Mr. Wight of my intended trip, awaited me and at once
showed me a number of infested Acacia trees. Icerya was here still in
countless numbers. Before breakfast the next morning this gentleman
showed me one of the Australian Lady-birds,* saying that he found it
among Icerya. On investigation they were found in large numbers in
every place visited at Napier and several miles out in the country. I
left Napier for Wellington on the 11th to visit Mr. Maskell. This gen-
tleman had never had the opportunity of studying the enemies of Icerya,
as the scales are not found anywhere within 80 miles of Wellington. It
had been the firm belief of some persons in New Zealand that certain
Ichneumonids were the destroyers of the Seales. I saw dozens of sev-
eral species of these upon one orange tree infested with Icerya near
Napier, not injuring them in any way, but devouring the sweet exuda-
tion from them. Larger numbers of flies were present than Ichneu-
monide, and even Crambide were engaged in the same perform-
ance, yet these received no sbare in the compliments. Mr. Maskell had
received from the Cape of Good Hope about two hundred specimens
of several species of Coccinellids, which, as the sender informed him,
* Vedalia cardinalis Muls.
26
were all preying upon Icerya. They were sent to Nelson and placed
under tent with the Scales. A few days later, how-
ever, the wind took away the tent and nothing more
has been seen since of the Coccinellids. Several
species of these beetles which Mr. Maskell kindly
presented me with were left with you at Washington.
Amongst them I could not find the Rodolia icerye,
; ~=5 Janson (Fig. 14), which is destroying the Scales at the
Fig. 14 —Rodolia icer- e : é
ye—enlarged (after Cape and, with the possible exception of one species,
Huley). I do not think they will feed upon Icerya.
My time was too short to visit Nelson, and Mr. Maskell kindly promised
to secure for me a box full of scales from that district, so as to enable
me to find out whether some parasites or enemies existed there. This
box was sent to me on board the steamer at Auckland and, on opening
the same, several flies were found that had issued en route. Only one
of them was in perfect condition ; all the others were crippled. They
had crawled in among the paper used in making up the parcel. No
other specimens were bred and no holes were observed in the scales, so
the only possibility remains in the larva of this fly being predaceous
upon the eggs of Icerya. Apart from these flies no other insects were
observed from the Nelson Scales. On my return to Napier I got at once
to work gathering the Coccinellids in all stages. They were in such
numbers that I found it not very difficult to collect here about six
thousand specimens during the three days (February 14 to 16). As
many as eight eggs of the Lady-bird were observed on the upper side
of the female Icerya just beginning to exude cottony matter. Oppo-
site to this on the small branch of Acacia, five young larve of the
Lady-bird were feeding on the under side of a half-grown scale; in one
instance even nine Coccinellid larve were found attached to a small
Icerya. The mature beetles were not numerous,
but every branch full of scales had a greater or
less number of eggs and larve. The eggs are
chiefly deposited among the vigorous half-grown
scales. Here the largest number of the eggs and
young larve were found. They are generally
single, thrust in between the scales and fastened
onto the branch, on the scale itself, and often on
the under side of the scale, as the mother Lady-
I bird will sometimes raise the Icerya with her hind
Fig. 15.—Scymnus fagus—en- legs and thrust the egg under it. At times two
Eeees enelna or more are found together, always lying flat and
in irregular position. Aside from this valuable Coccinellid, a small
Seymnus was observed here feeding upon the scales, but in small num-
bers only. This was named for me later by Captain Broun, as Scymnus
Jagus (Fig. 15).
I left Napier with my valuable lot of Lady-birds on the 17th. They
27
were placed in the ice-house on the steamer, and as soon as Auckland
was reached I went to the freezing-house and there my Coccinellids were
placed in a cool room with a temperature of 38° Fah. Having been
informed that Iceryas had been very numerous almost a year ago at a
gentleman’s place near Lake Togabuna, several miles out of Auckland,
a trip was made as soon as my Lady-birds were safe, for I was very
anxious to get at the fact as to what had destroyed the Scales around Auck-
land, and if it were not the same insect found at Napier. I was shown
a couple of Acacia trees, one of which had been destroyed by the Scales,
and a second, still living, which had many Iceryas upon it. All the
Seales on this small tree were examined, and, with the exception of a
small Coleopterous larva within one of the egg-masses, no enemies could
be observed. Both these trees were growing among old pine trees and
were much shaded by them, in fact so much so that no sun-Joving in-
sect like the Lady-bird would venture into then. Close by about a
dozen orange trees were growing in an open field, and on my inquiring
if no Scales were upon these trees, the gentleman remarked that only
about nine months since they were full of them, but that all had disap-
peared. These I wanted to see, and on the first tree reached, while
yet at some distance, I could see, exposed to the sun on the upper side
of a leaf, a black glistening spot, which was the insect looked for, the
Australian Lady-bird. On this tree more Coccinellids than Iceryas were
found. The Lady-birds, if not at rest on top of a leaf in the hot sun,
were busily running or flying about. This is an interesting fact. All
the orange trees in the open field were completely cleaned of the thou-
sands of Scales by the Coccinellids, while closely adjoining, among the
dark and shady pines (Pinus insignis Douglas), a large Acacia tree
(Acacia decurrens) was destroyed by the Scales, even the adjoining
branches of the pine trees being dead, and, as stated by the proprietor,
from the effects of Icerya.
As yet the scales have not been observed to my knowledge on pine
trees in California, yet Mr. Maskell also told me of having seen pine
trees loaded with them. I observed here also an Aspidiotus very in-
jurious to apple trees. The following day the place visited on my
first arrival in Auckland was examined again, but only a few large
females could be found. The young were just hatching, and many
eggs were still present. Mr. Cheeseman had been informed by Mr.
Purchas and others that Icerya existed abundantly in the woods at the
English church cemetery (Paeroa), infesting Sophora tetraptera. He
kindly accompanied me to the place, and before long pointed out the
tree, which is closely related to the Acacias. We soon succeeded in
finding the scales in large numbers on a few of the trees, when a care-
ful investigation was made and a few specimens of the small Scymnus
Jagus were found. A small hemipterous insect was present among the
ege-masses in all stages, the young being found within them, and two
species of small spiders had built their houses among the egg-masses
28
also. From the many remains of the young Iceryas it was evident that
they fed also on these. The Australian Coccinellid had not yet discov-
ered this colony of scales, yet it must have existed here in numbers
for at least four years. Only a few scattered specimens were found
on other shrubs, but they had spread to the Mangrove bushes growing
close by in large numbers. On this plant they thrive remarkably well.
Captain Broun, at Drury, the authority on New Zealand Coleoptera,
was visited:and asked in regard to the Australian Lady-bird. He did
not know the insect, nor had he ever met with it, but he had the small
Scymnus fagus, which seems to be more widely spread and lives upon
various Scales ; neither had he met with the common C. nova-zealandica
which I found at Napier. During a ramble in the woods with the cap-
tain I found a large Coccinellid in all stages feeding upon Ctenochiton
viridis Maskell infesting Coprosma lucida. This Coccinellid was identi-
fied by him as Leis antipodum Mulsant (Fig. 16). Upon the same tree was
also found in abundance a second and smaller Scale of the same genus;
this is C. perforatus. The captain kindly promised to send me a number
of living specimens of the Coccinellid, and he kept his promise, though,
unfortunately, the insect had become so rare that with assistance he
was able to find only six specimens. These came in an ice-chamber well
packed in a large box, but only one of them was living on arrival here.
=e MS
Fic. 16.—Leis antipodum, two varieties—enlarged (original.)
On February 25 the steamer was ready to sail. Having made ar-
rangements with the butcher on board the previous day as to the most ~
convenient time of receiving my insects into the ice-house, they were
transferred from the freezing-house on board the steamer, which did
not take more than ten minutes, and the insects were not disturbed in
their dormant stage during the time. Every day on the voyage I re-
ceived the answer from the butcher, to my inquiries about the parcel,
‘“ Your bugs are all right.” On March 10, after leaving Honolulu, one
of the boxes with the Lady-bird larve was examined and found in ex-
cellent condition; no dead larve could be found among them, and this
was twenty-four days after the first were collected. On Saturday eve-
ning, March 16, we arrived at San Francisco, too late to have the in-
sects forwarded, and I could not send them off before Monday evening,
March 18. They were probably received and opened by Mr. Coquillett
two days later. This would make thirty-four days that they were in-
29
closed, and yet they arrived in excellent condition, better than any pre-
viously received. Haviug been on ice for twenty-nine days, no doubt
many of the eggs arrived here before hatching, and the larvee under
such conditions would make little progress in their growth.
As will be seen from these notes (and such is my firm belief), Icerya
is indigenous to Australia, having spread from that country to the Cape
of Good Hope, New Zealand, and our continent, and no doubt with some
plants brought here. The pursers on steamers running between San
Francisco and Sydney informed me that with every trip a greater or
less number of plants are brought over. On these no one would notice
Icerya; even an expert would overlook a few of the tiny young scales
if not especially searching for them. At the time Icerya was first ob-
served here many oranges were brought over. Mr. Sutton, of the
Alameda, informed me that in 1873 the entire market in San Francisco
was supplied with Australian oranges. All this matters little. We
have the pest, and now the most effective enemies of it. Before long
the work of the latter will be appreciated all over the State. At this
date small colonies of the Lady-birds have been established in almost
every district infested with Icerya, and at Los Angeles they must be
present already by the thousands.
It was difficult in Australia to ascertain which was the most effect-
ive enemy of Icerya, on account of the scarcity of the latter insect dur-
ing the unusually dry season of my visit. It is safe to say, however,
that the Lestophonids are always and at any time ready for any Icerya,
since they breed upon so many and varied Scales infesting the Euca-
lypti and Acacias, of which the Australian woods chiefly consist.
Often Icerya will appear m large numbers in some private garden in a
city, and yet, as I have been informed, they will be out of sight in a
short time again. This entire clearing up is the work of the Lady-
birds, for in most cases the infested scales will produce eggs, and the
flies are never able to entirely clear a tree of them, in which case t. e
Lady-bird steps in and devours Scales, flies, and all. It is only in such
protected places that the scales sometimes become numerous, as it
takes time for their enemies to establish themselves. The Lestophonus
no doubt would in time increase here so as to keep the Icerya in check,
but this would be years, for only two broods of it were observed in
Australia, as many as that of its host, the Icerya, the parasite appear-
ing about the same time as the young of the latter. I have seen about
eight species of Monophlcebide upon which Lestophonus will undoubt-
edly breed.
Dr. Diez, of the Adelaide Museum, has shown me several specimens
of a species of these scales, which he assures me were fully 2 inches in
length when received alive from the interior of South Australia. He
~ had written to the party who sent them for information regarding the
monstrous scale-bug, yet the only light he received upon the subject
was that the discoverer of the Scale was found dead in the bush near
30
Barvota, and he assumes that they Came from that district. Such a
large Coccid would be able to support several hundred of the Lesto-
phonus. I have also bred this fly from a species of Celostoma found
on a shrub at Mount Lofty, South Australia, where two specimens of -
Icerya were found, both invested by Lestophonus on a species of Acacia.
In California we have to my knowledge no Seales upon which this fly
would breed, with the exception of Pulvinaria and Dactylopius. Of the
latter there are many species found almost everywhere; a large species
almost equal in size to Icerya exists upon our Redwood trees (Sequoia).
This no doubt willin time be attacked by the flies. I have not the least
doubt that in time this Lestophonus will do effective work upon Icerya
even if slow (too slow for the Americans, as Mr. Wolfskill remarked).
So far I have seen little progress of it. On my visit to Los Angeles (April
12), it seemed that very few remained of the vast number of flies re-
ceived here in good condition. AJl had been placed under one tent,
erected over a tree for the purpose of propagating, instead of forming
a new colony with every consignment received; yet it is to be hoped
that very many of the flies have escaped from the tent.
As far as the Lady-bird is concerned it will show itself, or rather has
done so already. They never were found by the writer except feeding
upon Icerya, and yet there must surely exist in Australia some other
scales upon which they feed. The work this little insect is able to accoin-
plish is shown by the fact that by chance it went over to Auckland, New
Zealand, where the Icerya was in a flourishing state, having destrored
nearly everything about five years or so since, and there cleared nearly
the whole district around Anckland within about two years. From here
it has spread south as far as Hawk’s Bay without any artificial help,
everywhere increasing in numbers as long as the food would last. I
shall be greatly mistaken if this one insect alone is not master of the
situation within two years’ time, although we have comparatively few
to battle with. It will need thousands everywhere to clean up the mill-
ions of scales. I has no time while in the field to study much of the
life-history of this valuable insect. My first motto was always ‘get as
many as possible.” If once established here, the life history may be
studied at leisure.
I will, however, relate part of the doings of one pair of these insects.
On February 9 a few beetles and pup were collected in a glass jar.
Two male Lady-birds were noticed running and pushing around one of
the pup in which one of the female Lady-birds had just issued and
was within thecase with soft and tender wings and about helpless. Soon
the male succeeded in pushing her out, and immediately after this had
been accomplished, one of them united with her at about3 p.m. This
pair were placed in a small wooden box and they remained in copula
until the following morning at 7. They were left in this box until
February 17, when they were placed in a large jar with twigs of Acacia
fullofIceryas. Noeggs were observed in the box, which was completely
dl
clean, with the exception of the numerous red spots produced by the
Lady-bird, for they had subsisted on their owneggs during their confine-
ment. As soon as the female Lady-bird was among the scales she be-
came quiet, stopped, and deposited an egg upon the twig. As soon as
this was done she turned around and devoured the same, which took
her about a half a minute. A few moments were spent in cleaning her-
self and then another egg was brought forth and eaten. After this and
another wash she attacked and devoured a half-grown scale. This was
eaten into from the back, very quietly at first, yet in a little time she
became lively, almost furious, tearing the scale off from its hold by the
beak and turning it up and down in the air with the mouth-parts, as-
sisting in this with the anterior legs. In about one minute this was.
devoured and nothing but the empty skin left, after which she went to
work, business-like, and deposited eggs quietly, sitting at rest upon the
scales, and every few minutes thrusting an egg in between or generally
under them. A very large scale was lifted with the posterior legs and
the egg thrust beneath. All the strong attempts at love affairs by the
lively and not hungry male were resisted. I was careful to see that
twigs with nothing but Icerya on them were selected for food; at least
no young larve could be observed on them; yet the second day after
the Coccinellids were placed in with them, young larvze were seen, and
they came out so fast that within a few days my jar was a living mass.
of them.
On February 22 a few of the larve were full grown and settled down
in a quiet place, fastening the ends of their bodies down with a thick
and sticky substance and remaining in this way, becoming shorter and
stouter, for four days. On the 25th the first pupa was observed; from
this the mature beetle hatched in the evening of the 28th. Another
appeared the following day. Again, on March 3, a pair of the bred
Lady-birds were placed together, with clean food, and the next day,
March 4, eggs were observed which hatched on the 8th. This I could
not carry through, as the food began to dry up; in fact, on March 18,
many grown and hungry larvie were devouring each other in this jar,
and even the mother of them, which was still living, was noticed devour-
ing one of her young, a larva. Three times, at intervals, this pair were
observed in copulation. Eleven beetles of this last brood reached matu-
rity, having had nothing to feed upon but one supply of scales that
had already been boxed up for eight days, the beetles having been born
and forced to live upon one another. Taking four days for the eggs to
hatch, about eight days for the larve to grow, three days until pupa-
ting, and four days more for the pupa to emerge, this would only make
nineteen days from the egg tothe mature insect, providing the weather
is warm. No doubt we will see cases where, in less time than this,
all the stages are gone through at Los Angeles in hot weather, and we
may expect at least fifteen broods annually of this insect to two of
Icerya.
32
Another most important insect is the moth Thalpochares cocciphaga
Meyrick. It is greatly to be hoped that this insect will be introduced
here. I have been able to get about a hundred larve here in good con-
dition, yet what became of them I am not able to state as yet. The
insect is apparently easy to breed. Five of the larve were placed in a
pill-box in the field during January and overlooked. During April, on
opening the box at Alameda, I found that four of the moths had issued,
copulated, and deposited many eggs. The young larve, however, had
already left the box and no trace of them could be found. It would
have been easy with the number received here, had a little care been
bestowed upon them, to breed and introduce them upon most any of
our larger Scales.
The Chrysopa, of which eggs and larvee were sent over with every
shipment, excepting the last, have been successfully introduced. In
April, while in Los Angeles, several of the insects were noticed upon
orange trees in Mr. Wolfskill’s orchard.
Several species of Scymnus, about six in number, that were sent, all
live upon Coccide. The largest of them was abundantin Brisbane upon
various soft scales, and was also found at this place upon Icerya.
Mr. Webster brought to me from Tasmania a box full of Eucalyptus
twigs with Hriococcus eucalypt, the Scymnus so numerous at Melbourne,
and sent here in numbers, together with two small moths, a Pyralid and
a Tineid, which were feeding upon the Hriococcus.* These, as all other
insects, were turned over to Mr. Coquillett. Various other beneficial
insects were observed during my four months’ work in Australia, all of
which if introduced here would be of great value. One of these de-
serves to be mentioned. It is one of the largest Lady-birds, and had
cleaned whole apple orchards of the Woolly Aphis in South Australia
aud Victoria. They were also observed to feed upon Lecanium.
All material collected and studied in Australia relating to this sub-
ject and otherwise of importance will be mounted and sent to you with
the notes thereon.
* These moths we have no means of now determining, even if described. The
Tineid much resembles Euclemensia bassettella of this country, and the other is a Phy-
cid near Dakruma.
fo)
63 0, af $ |
Woo OEP ART MENT ORJMAGRICULTURE: i
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY. ,
BULLETIN. No, 22.
ey Eee OR ES
OF
OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS
THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION,
MADE
UNDER THE DIRECTION GF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.
(PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1890.
epson nine
~ ar a
i DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY..
BULLETIN No. 22.
Roe Ok TS
OF
OBSERVATIONS AND EXPERIMENTS
IN
THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION,
MADE
_ UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.
(PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1890.
Ty ;
i be ay ; tag
; haa! , :
PX
ges
CONTENTS.
MESA OVDS ER OSETO Ne or ee aio one oe arcs eo cae eae cle sa Seo eed ae a minalses eee.
REPORT ON VARIOUS METHODS FOR DESTROYING THE RED SCALE OF CALI-
TORS aSnGn Beeso be pcoce JASE eRe Bae Saee haere reEpotoon D. W. Coquillett. -
REPORT ON INSECTS OF THE SEASON IN IOWA ...----.------ Herbert Osborn..
REPORT ON OBSERVATIONS UPON INSECTS AFFECTING GRAINS.F. M. Webster...
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MISSOURI FOR THE SEASON 189, Mary E. Murt-
CT > RES TANS 4 Bek ial St thee ese epee ee ere fe EL 0
MMBORT ON CATE ORNIA UNSECTS)..2.+< socceeaces -osc-s ss 5955 Albert Koebele. .
REPORT ON NEBRASKA INSECTS ..---.-- Seerest itis sis Serato Lawrence Bruner. -
9
oO
Page.
Aiea Weve
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., January —, 1890.
Str: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 22 of
this Division. Owing to the necessities of the case I was able to include
in the annual report only a general summary of the work of the field
agents of the Division, reserving their full reports on the work of the
year for subsequent publication. They are, therefore, here presented.
Respectfully, ear
. V. RILEY
Entomologist.
Hon. J. M. Rusk,
Secretary of Agriculture.
5
*
©
=
ular 5 2 Se
INTRODUCTION.
This bulletin comprises the reports of the field agents of the Division
of Entomology which were necessarily omitted from the annual report,
in which it has been our previous custom to publish some or all of
them. .
Mr. Coquillett has reported upon several phases of his work, and we
print here only the portion relating to the experiments which he made
in the destruction of the Red Scale of California (Aspidiotus [Aonidia]
aurantit Maskell) by the use of washes. <A portion of his report re-
lating to experiments with gas treatment for this scale insect, resulting
in the great cheapening of the use of this process, has been printed in
the double number of INSEcT LIFE for January and February, 1890.
Another section of his report relating to the attempted colonization of
the insects preying upon Icerya purchasi, imported by Mr. Koebele from
Australia, has also been published in part in INSECT LIFE for October,
1889, and the remainder is reserved for future use. The experiments
with washes were undertaken with a view of presenting a practical
illustration of their utility to the fruit-growers of southern California
who had apparently ignored the previous results obtained and pub-
lished in our reports for 1886 and 1887. These late experiments were
performed by instruction of Assistant Secretary Willits, and the Red
Scale was particularly chosen on account of its importance as a pest,
and for the further reason that the Fluted Scale seems at present to re-
quire no further experimentation, since the Vedalia is overcoming it so
rapidly.
Professor Osborn, in obedience to instructions, has taken up the
study of insects injurious to grasses in addition to his regular work
upon the insect parasites of domestic animals, and reports at this time
upon the leat-hoppers injuring forage plants. This is a comparatively
new and important-field of investigation.
Professor Webster continues his studies of grain iusects and reports
here upon certain points connected with the economy of a few well-
known pests.
Miss Murtfeldt sends in a general report upon the insects of the sea-
son in eastern Missouri, brings out a number of interesting facts, and
gives the life history of a beetle injuring Spinach and also the histories’
of two interesting Saw-flies.
i
8
Mr. Koebele returned from Australia in March and came on to Wash-
ington for special work, returning to Alameda, Cal., April 15. He
spent considerable time in writing out his report on his Australian
work (published in Bulletin No. 21 of this Division) and in assisting to
rear and distribute the Vedalia.
During the latter part of the season he did considerable field work
and reports upon a number of injurious species. Perhaps the most in-
teresting feature in his report is his work upon the enemies of the Cod-
ling Moth in California. He has reared four entirely new parasites of
this species, two of which are primary and two secondary. The egg
parasite seems to be a very important feature in the life of the Codling
Moth on the Pacific coast, and we know from previous experience with
egg-parasites of the same genus that they are capable of very rapid
development and are consequently very beneficial insects where they
attack injurious species. We need only refer to the case mentioned in
the Fourth Report of the U. S. Entomological Commission, where
by the work of Trichogramma pretiosa Riley, the fifth brood of Cotton
Worm was almost completely annihilated in Florida, where at the be-
ginning of the fourth brood less than one-half of the eggs had been de-
stroyed. By almost complete annihilation we mean that less than 10
per cent. of the Cotton Worm eggs throughout a large section remained
unstung. | 7
Professor Bruner treats of the insects of the year and enters upon
the consideration of insects detrimental to the growth of young trees on
tree claims in Nebraska and other portions of the West, an important
subject which has not before received treatment.
C. V. R.
REPORT ON VARIOUS METHODS FOR DESTROYING THE
RED SCALE OF CALIFORNIA.
By D. W. CoquiLtett, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Los ANGELES, CAL., October 30, 1889.
Sir: I herewith submit my annual report on some of the results obtained by me
during the past year.
During the first half of the year nearly my whole time was occupied in propagat-
ing and distributing the Lady-birds (Vedalia cardinalis Mulsant) recently imported
from Australia by this Division. So thoroughly have these insects destroyed the
Fluted or Cottony-cushion Scale (Icerya purchasi Maskell) that at the present time it
is difficult to find a living specimen in any portion of the southern part of this State.
‘From the 129 Lady-birds received from the 30th of November to the 24th of January
and colonized under a tent covering an orange tree in this city, by the following mid-
summer I had, with the help of Mr. J. W. Wolfskill and Mr. Alexander Craw, dis-
tributed nearly 15,000 of these insects to various parts of the State, which will give
some idea of the great fecundity of these insects. My first attempt at colonizing
them on trees in the open air was made in the 35-acre orange grove belonging to Col.
J. R. Dobbins, and located in the San Gabriel Valley in this county. I colonized 35
of the Lady-birds on one of the trees February 22 and about 100 more on the 20th of
March, and Colonel Dobbins writes me that they had practically freed his grove of
the Iceryas by the 31st of July.
The large Chapman orange-grove, also located in the San Gabriel Valley, and com-
_ prising 150 acres of citrus trees, has likewise been practically cleared of the Iceryas
by these Lady-birds, the first colony of which I placed in this grove on the 20th of
March. As might naturally be expected, this freeing of the orange-groves from one
of the greatest pests with which they were ever infested removes a great burden
from the shoulders of our oranuge-growers ; or, as one of them, Mr. A. Scott Chapman,
writes to me: ‘‘ They have taken more than an oppressive burden off of the orange-
growers’ hands, and I, for one, very much thank the Division of Entomology for the
Vedalia cardinalis—the insect that has worked a miracle.”
One of the most important results obtained by me the past season has been the dis-
covery of a method whereby trees could be treated with hydrocyanic acid gas ata
price scarcely exceeding one-third of what it has heretofore cost by the old method.
As the great expense attending the use of this gas has been the one great objection
to its being universally employed for the destruction of scale-insects infesting trees,
this objection having been now overcome we may naturally expect to see this
method coming into more extended use than has been the case heretofore. As I have
9
10
given a full account of this new discovery in the report which follows, it will be need-
less to more than call your attention to it in this place. *
As heretofore, I am indebted to yourself for suggestions and other help.
Respectfully, yours,
D. W. COQUILLETT.
Protec. (VV .RIEE Y:
U. S. Entomologist.
RESIN SOAPS AND COMPOUNDS FOR THE DESTRUCTION OF THE RED
SCALE.
Karly in July of the present year I received a letter from Mr. L. O.
Howard, acting entomologist during the absence of Professor Riley,
instructing me to obtain permission from some person owning a number
of large-sized orange trees which were thickly infested with the Red
Seale (Aspidiotus aurantii Maskell), and then have the trees sprayed
with one of the most approved resin sprays obtainable, the spraying
to be repeated as often as would be found necessary in order to prac-
tically free the trees of these pests, or at least to prevent them from
becoming so numerous as tointerfere with the healthy growth of the
trees, the object sought tor being to demonstrate that citrus trees badly
infested with these pests can be cleaned and kept in a healthy, grow-
ing condition by the use of the resin spray.
Before entering upon this work I concluded to make a series of pre-
liminary tests with various preparations, containing resin and other in-
gredients in varying proportions, with a view of ascertaining the best
and most desirable preparation to use in my field work referred to
above. Accordingly I went down to Orange, in the adjoining county,
which bears the same name, and, on the 17th, 18th, and 19th of July,
made fourteen tests with various preparations, repeating one of these
and making several additional tests on the 7th and 8th of the following
month. The one giving the best results was used a trifle too strong,
as I subsequently ascertained that it produced a discoloration on the
underside of some of the oranges, or where they came in contact with
each other or with a leaf or branch. For this reason a slightly weaker
solution would produce better results, and doubtless the following pro-
portions will be found the most effectual to use during the hotter part
of the year:
PROMS ae Sogo ccan eaes Tee EEE ete eee eee pounds.. 18
Caustic soda (70 per cent. strength) ........-.....--... do:2-2 440
Mish: O12 tie ocsaslatnane ee eens oes ee eee ee eee pints... 24
Watermovmalke =a. 2205 Se see ees tee ee ee ee gallons.. 100
The necessary ingredients are placed in the boiler and a sufficient
quantity of cold water added to cover them; they are then boiled until
dissolved, being occasionally stirred in the mean time, and after the
*This portion of Mr. Coquillett’s report has been published in advance in INSECT
Lire, Vol. II, double No. 6 and 7 (January and February 1890),—c. v. R.
il
materials are dissolved the boiling should be continued for about an
hour, and a considerable degree of heat should be employed so as to
keep the preparation in a brisk state of ebullition, cold water being
added in small quantities whenever there are indications of the prepa-
ration boiling over; too much cold water, however, should not be added
at one time, or the boiling process will be arrested and thereby delayed,
but by a little practice the operator will learn how much water to add
so as to keep the preparation boiling actively. Stirring the preparation
is quite unnecessary during this stage of the work. When boiled suffi-
ciently it will assimilate perfectly with water and should then be di-
luted with the proper quantity of cold water, adding it slowly at first
and stirring occasionally during the process. The undiluted prepara-
tion is pale yellowish in color, but by the addition of water it becomes
a very dark brown. Before being sprayed on the trees it should be
strained through a fine wire sieve, or through a piece of swiss muslin,
and this is usually accomplished when pouring the liquid into the spray-
ing tank, by means of a strainer placed over the opening through which
the preparation is introduced into the tank.
The preparing of this compound would be greatly accelerated if the
resin and caustic soda were first pulverized before being placed in the
boiler, but this is quite a difficult task to perform. Both of these sub-
stances are put up in large cakes for the wholesale trade, the resin be-
ing in wooden barrels, each barrel containing a single cake weighing
about 375 pounds, while the caustic soda is put up in iron drums con-
taining a single cake each, weighing about 800 pounds. The soda is
the most difficult to dissolve, but this could doubtless be obviated by
first dissolving it in cold water and then using the solution as required.
It has been very generally supposed that the finer the spray could be
thrown upon the tree the better would be the results obtained, but
after conversing with several persons who make the spraying of trees
their special work I was somewhat surprised to learn that each of them
were in favor of a rather coarse spray. In nearly every instance they
had started out with the impression that a fine spray was the best, but
had gradually adopted one somewhat coarser, finally adopting one that
threw a moderately coarse spray with considerable torce. After care-
fully investigating the subject I found that their reasons for preferring
a rather coarse spray to a fine one were well founded.
The object sought for is not so much to simply sprinkle and wet the
tree as it is to paint or varnish it over with the compound used, and
this can best be accomplished by the use of a rather coarse spray, which
enables them to throw the liquid upon the tree with considerable force,
so that when it strikes any portion of the tree it spreads out and covers
the adjoining parts with a thin film, as if put on with a brush. It also
strikes many of the leaves with such force as to cause them to expose
tc the spray portions of their surfaces that would otherwise escape.
‘Besides this, by the use of a moderately coarse spray the tree can be
12
wet or varnished over in a much shorter space of time than when a
finer spray is used, and all of the operators that I have conversed with
on this subject were unanimous in their statements that the time thus
saved much more than compensated for the somewhat larger quantity
of the preparation that was required when the coarse spray was em-
ployed as compared with a finer spray. The evidence, therefore,
appears to be decidedly in favor of a rather coarse spray.
But whatever may be the character of the preparation used, or the
nature of the spraying nozzle employed, the success of the operation
will depend very largely upon the thoroughness with which the prepa-
ration has been applied. In the case of small trees it is comparatively
easy to wet every part of them, but when the trees are 20 feet or more
in height and have not been properly pruned it is not only difficult but
quite impossible to wet every portion of them; and, unfortunately, the
tendency is to use as little of the preparation upon the tree as is abso-
lutely necessary. On tall trees the operation of spraying is made more
effectual by the use of tall ladders, so that the various parts of the trees
can be sprayed from above as well as from below.
It is well known among those who have had any experience in trying
to destroy the Red Scale with sprays of any kind that the scale insects
which are located upon the fruit are less affected by the different
liquid preparations than those located upon the leaves or bark.
The reason for this appears to lie in the fact that those located upon
the fruit, having an abundance of food always within easy reach, are
more healthy and vigorous than those located upon the other parts of
the tree, and consequently are better prepared for resisting the destruc-
tive effects of the spray. That healthy, vigorous insects 2re capable of
resisting the effects of a destructive agency that has proved fatal to
their less vigorous comrades there can be no doubt. An instance of
this kind is given in my report to Professor Riley for the year 1888, as
published in the Annual Report of this Department for that year. On
page 128, in speaking of the effects of arseniuretted hydrogen gas upon
the Fluted or Cottony-cushion Scale (Icerya purchast, Maskell), the state-
ment is made that “Subsequent experiments made upon perfectly
healthy trees and insects showed that when the gas was used strong
enough to have proved fatal to all of the Icerya on the neglected trees
it did not kill one-half of those on the vigorous trees.” Owing to this
fact it would be advisable to refrain from irrigating and cultivating in-
fested orange trees for several weeks before spraying them, were it not :
for the other fact that in the case of bearing trees such a course would
seriously interfere with their bearing qualities or operations. Unlike
deciduous fruit-trees, our citrus trees do not take a rest of several months’
duration between the ripening of the fruit and the blossoming of the
trees for another crop; only a few weeks at the most intervening between
these two periods in the case of orange trees, while on healthy bearing
lemon trees both blossums and fruit are to be found at every season of
the year.
13
In the case of bearing orange trees it would appear that the season
of the year when they could be sprayed with the least amount of in-
jury to themselves and with the greatest fatality to the red scales infest-
ing them would be at a time when they were in blossom, after all of
the fruit of the preceding season had been removed from them. There
would at such a time be no fruit on the trees for the seale-insects to
locate upon, so that all these insects that could be reached by the spray
would be destroyed without at the same time injuring any portion of
the tree. Several persons who had sprayed their orange trees at a time
when the latter were in full bloom informed me that to all appearances.
none of the blossoms were injured by the spray, providing that the
latter was not used so strong that it injured the leaves, being unani-
mously of the opinion that the blossoms were_as hardy as the leaves.
The young fruit is much more susceptible to the effects of the spray than
are either the leaves or the blossoms, and this is the ease until it becomes:
at least half-grown. It has been my experience, and also the experience
of others with whom I have conversed upon the subject, that where the
conditions are equal an orange tree is more susceptible to the effects
of a given spray than a lemon tree, the foliage of the latter being
hardier; whereas in the case of frosts the reverse of this is true. lemon
trees being greatly injured by frosts that would produce little or no
effect upon orange trees growing under similar conditions.
It is a well-established fact that any given spray will not be so fatal
to the scale insects during the cooler portion of the year as it will if
applied during the hotter portion. On this account it will evidently be
found necessary during the winter months to use a somewhat stronger
solution than indicated in the formula given above ; and probably the
proper proportions to use during this season would be obtained by ad-
ding water sufficient to make only 80 gallons, instead of 100 gallons as
given in the above formula.
What is true in regard to the effects of the solution upon the insects.
is equally true of its effects upon the tree, the same solution that would
not injure the tree if applied during cool weather might injure it very
severely if applied during very warm weather. As bearing upon this
subject, I can not do better than to give the experience of one of my
correspondents, Mr. F. G. Ryan, an intelligent orange-grower of
Anaheim, in the adjoining county of Orange. .Mr. Ryan used the resin
compound quite extensively for the destruction of the Black Scale
(Lecanium olee Bernard), and under date of February 7, 1889, he writes.
me as follows:
I want to tell you of a disappointing experience I had with the resin compound.
On January 21 and 22 I sprayed twelve trees in one quarter of the grove and eight in
another with a compound composed of 1 pound of caustic soda, 8 pounds of resin and
32 gallons of water. Afier doing this a hot, drying wind arose and stopped our work.
The wind continued for several days, becoming milder each succeeding day, and on
the fourth day I noticed some leaves dropping from these trees; this dropping of the
foliage has continued and increased until now there is scarcely half the foliage left
if
on two or three of the trees, and the others show a loss of from 15 to 50 per cent. I
argue that as the trees first sprayed show a lesser loss than the others, the probabili-
ties are that the water and compound were not thoroughly mixed, and asit is my cus-
tom to keep the inlet pipe of the pump near the top of the solution to avoid the sedi-
ment, these trees received a weaker solution, as the compound would remain at the
bottom of the tank until thoroughly mixed and suspended in the water. No condi-
tions of health of trees or soil affected the loss of foliage, since similar results are
shown by the trees in the other part of the grove. My conclusion is that the cause
exists in too strong a solution, followed by hot, dry winds for several days. Since
the date of spraying there has been no rain nor even a fog or cloud until two days
ago. Iam happy to say, though, that the bugs are dead.
That this disastrous result to the foliage was the direct effect of the
hot drying wind appears to admit of no doubt, since Mr. Ryan informs
me that when no such wind prevailed he had sprayed a large number of
his orange trees with a compound made precisely like the one used
above, and the trees thus sprayed dropped scarcely a leaf. The fact
that the latest trees sprayed suffered the most indicates not so much
that they were sprayed with a stronger solution than the others, but
rather that being sprayed later and being still wet with the solution
they would naturally be more affected by the hot winds than those
which were sprayed earlier, and from which the surplus solution had
had time to drip off, while the remainder would be quite dry before the
hot wind occurred. '
Following is an account of a number of experiments which I made
with various resin compounds and resin soaps for the destruction of the
Red Scale (Aspidiotus aurantit Maskell); they were made at Orange, in
the adjoining county of Orange, upon trees kindly placed at my disposal
by Mr. H. F. Gardner. The trees in experiments 181-194 contained no
fruit, but there were green oranges on all of the other trees experi-
mented upon.
In making each of these solutions the necessary ingredients were
placed in the boiler, covered with water, and boiled briskly from two to
three hours, after which they assimilated well with water; the solution
was then diluted with the proper quantity of water, strained through a
piece of barley sack, and then sprayed upon the tree. In each instance
only a small quantity of solid or semi-solid matter was strained out of
the different solutions. An exception to this occurs in experiments 185
and 186, in which the resin was simply dissolved in water over a hot
fire, after which the necessary quantity of water was added and the
solution strained, as described above. In dissolving the resin I used
3 gallons of water for each pound of the resin; at first I tried to dissolve
it at the rate of 1 pound of resin to 2 gallons of water, but a portion of
the resin would not dissolve until more water had been added. The
solution was of a milky-white color, and assimilated well with water.
The cost per 100 gallons of the different preparations as given below
is based upon wholesale prices of the different ingredients, furnished
me by the Los Angeles Soap Company, of this city. The rate on resin
is by the 10-barrel lot of 375 pounds per barrel; of caustic soda, by the
15
drum of 800 pounds; of fish-oii, by the barrel of 50 gallons; of potash,
by the cask of 700 pounds; and of tallow, by the barrel of 375 pounds.
(181) Resin, 25 pounds; caustic soda, 3 pounds; water to make 100
gallons; costs 65 cents. The diluted solution was of a light brown color.
Sprayed on an orange tree at 11.30 a. m., July 17, sun shining, light
breeze. August 6, foliage uninjured; found a great many live scales.
(182) Resin, 33 pounds; caustic soda, 4 pounds; water to make 100
gallons; costs 84 cents. Sprayed on an orange tree at 11.45 a. m., July
17, sun shining, light breeze. August 6, foliage uninjured; found great
many live scales.
(199, 200) Resin, 25 pounds; caustic soda, 6 pounds; water to make
100 gallons; costs 77 cents. Sprayed on two orange trees at 10.45 and
and 11 a. m., August 7, sun shining, light breeze. September 2, found
great many live scales, especially on the fruit; leaves uninjured; many
of the half-grown oranges have rusty, brownish spots on their under
sides, or where they came in contact with each other or with a branch
or other object. These spots were still present October 19, but whether
they will disappear or not before the fruit ripens remains to be seen.
(201) Resin, 33 pounds; caustic soda, 8 pounds; water to make 100
gallons; costs $1. Sprayed on an orange tree at 11.15 a. m., August
7, sun shining, light breeze. September 2, same as in the preceding
experiment.
(190) Resin 16 pounds, fish-oil 6 pints, caustic soda 6 pounds, water
to make 100 gallons, costs 85 cents. The diluted solution was of a very
dark brown color. Sprayed on a lemon and orange tree (7. €. orange
budded to lemon, but the orange branches not cut away) at 1:30 p. m.,
July 18, sun shining, light breeze. August 6, leaves and newest growth
uninjured; found ten live scales.
(191) Resin 22 pounds, fish oil 1 gallon, caustic soda 8 pounds, water
to make 100 gallons; costs $1.15. Sprayed on an orange tree at 2 p. m.,
July 18, sun shining, light breeze. August 6, a few of the older leaves
have brownish spots on their under sides; found three live scales.
(192,195) Resin 20 pounds, fish oil 3 pints, caustic soda 6 pounds,
water to make 100 gallons ; costs 80 cents. Sprayed on a lemon and
on an orange tree at 1 and at 12:10 p. m., July 19, and August 7; sun
shining in the first, cloudy in the second experiment, light breeze.
August 6, in first experiment leaves uninjured; found two live scales.
September 2, in second experiment leaves uninjured; found 12 live
scales on the fruit and 8 on under side of the leaves where they had
evidently escaped the spray. In both experiments the fruit was as
described in experiment 199 above, but to a less degree.
The formula in these two experiments was the same, except that in
192 one pound more of the resin was used than in 195; but this small
quantity in 100 gallons could scarcely have affected the results. This
is the same formula used on September 3 of the present year (1889)
for spraying twenty-five orange trees, in accordance with instructions
16
from Mr. Howard, referred to above. Two of the trees were 5 feet
tall by 4 in diameter, while the others ranged from 14 to 18 feet tall
by from 12 to 16 feet in diameter. They were sprayed between the
hours of 3 and 5.30 p. m.; sun shining, light. breeze. Three hundred
gallons of the diluted compound were used. A tree 16 feet tall by 14
feet-in diameter required about 14 gallons of the compound, and three
men and a spraying outfit will spray about 800 gallons in aday. The
cost of materials and labor in spraying with this compound a tree of
the size indicated above amounts to about 24 cents per tree. I exam-
ined the above-mentioned trees September 24, and again October
19, and found that the leaves and fruit were uninjured, but a few of
the oranges had small brown spots on them as deseribed above in ex-
periment 199.. Nearly all of the scales located on the leaves and bark
were dead, but about one-fourth of those located upon the fruit were
still alive. :
(193, 196) Resin 28 pounds, fish oil 4 pints, caustic soda 8 pounds,
water to make 100 gallons; costs $1.10. Sprayed on two orange trees
at 1.15 and 12.20 p. m., July 19 and August 7; sun shining in the
first, cloudy in the second, light breeze. August 6, September 2,
and October 19, leaves uninjured; some of the oranges had brown
spots on them as described above in experiment 199; found only one
live scale on the leaves, and three on the fruit.
(202) Resin 21 pounds, fish oil 3 pints, crude potash 4 pounds, water
to make 100 gallons; costs 85 cents. Sprayed on an orange tree at
12.30 p. m., August 8; sun shining, light breeze. September 2,
leaves uninjured; some of the oranges had brown spots on them as de-
scribed above in experiment 199; found many live scales both on the
leaves and fruit.
(203) Resin 28 pounds, fish oil 4 pints, potash 53 pounds, water to
make 100 gallons; costs $1.15. Sprayed on an orange tree at 1p. m.,
August 8; sun shining, light breeze. September 2, same as in the
preceding experiment.
(183) Resin 20 pounds, tallow 64 pounds, caustic soda 63 pounds,
water to make 100 gallons; costs 98 cents. Sprayed on a lemon tree
at 12 m., July 17; sun shining, light breeze. August 6, a few of the
older leaves were injured ; found great many live red scales.
(184) Resin 25 pounds, tallow 8 pounds, caustic soda 8 pounds, water
to make 100 gallons; costs $1.22. Sprayed on an orange tree at 12.30
p.m, July 17; sun shining, light breeze. August 6, leaves uninjured ;
found three live red scales.
(188) Resin 17 pounds, tallow 6 pounds, caustic soda 6 pounds, water
to make 100 gallons; costs 88 cents. Sprayed on an orange tree at 1 -
p. m., July 18; sun shining, light breeze. August 6, leaves and newest
growth uninjured ; found twelve live red scales.
(189) Resin 22 pounds, tallow 8 pounds, caustic soda 8 pounds, water
to make 100 gallons; costs $1.16. Sprayed on a lemon tree at 1.15
vam
p.m., July 18; sun shining, light breeze. August 6, leaves uninjured ;
found fourteen live red scales. The pup and recently transformed
adults of the Chalcid fly, Dilophogaster californica Howard, which in-
fested fully 80 per cent. of the black scales (Lecanium olew Bernard)
on this tree, were all of them destroyed by this spray.
(187) Resin 23 pounds, tallow 14 pounds, crude potash 54 pounds,
water to make 100 gallons; costs $1.10. Sprayed on a lemon tree at
4.30 p.m., July 17; sun shining, light breeze. August 6, leaves unin-
jured; found three live red scales.
(185) Resin 19 pounds, water to make 100 gallons; costs 38 cents.
Sprayed on an orange tree at 4 p. m., July 17; sun shining, light breeze.
August 6, leaves and newest growth uninjured, but few of the red scales
were destroyed.
(186) Resin 22 pounds, water to make 100 gallons; costs 44 cents.
Sprayed on a lemon tree at 4.15 p. m., July 17; sun shining, light breeze.
August 6, same as in the preceding experiment.
EFFECTS OF THE EUREKA INSECTICIDE ON THE RED SCALE.
On the Ist of August of the present year I received a letter from
Acting Entomologist Howard, dated July 25, 1889, requesting me to
make a test of the ‘‘ Eureka Insecticide,” put up by E. Bean, of Jack-
sonville, Fla., who would forward me a few sample cans of the insecti-
cide for this purpose. These samples reached me in due time, and I
carefully tested the preparation according to directions. One pound
of it was emptied into a vessel, 6 gallons of cold water added, and the
whole frequently stirred. After the lapse of one hour I allowed
the insoluble portion to settle to the bottom of the vessel, poured off
the clear liquid portion, and sprayed it upon an orange tree at 2 p. m.,
August 7; cloudy, light breeze. September 2 the leaves were unin-
jured, and I could not discover that any of the red scales (Aspidiotus
aurantti Maskell) that were encased in a scale or shell at the time the
application was made had in the least been affected by the spray.
In a circular received from the proprietor it is stated that this insecti-
cide is sulphur in solution, a patented process, and that it “is abso-
lutely fatal to the rust mite, and also to the scale insect during the
breeding or migratory periods,” providing that the applications extend
through the entire season. It is possible that this insecticide would
prove fatal to the recently hatched red scale, but as this becomes cov-
ered over with a shell inside of twenty-four hours after leaving the
parent, and as the young ones appear during almost every day in the
year, it follows that in order to be effective it would be necessary to
apply this insecticide every day for three or four months consecutively
—a task which very few of our fruit-growers would be willing to per-
form.
23479—No, 22-——2
REPORT ON INSECTS OF THE SEASON IN IOWA.
By Prof. HERBERT OsBORN, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
Iowa AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE,
Ames, December 11, 1389.
Sir: I beg to submit herewith my report upon the season’s observations and study
for 1889.
I have during the season made a series of tests of X. O. Dust under directions from
your office; reports of which were transmitted immediately on completion of the
tests, and have continued to work, conjointly with yourself, on the insects affecting
domestic animals. As bearing upon the same general subject, and connected with one
of the most important industries of the State, and, indeed, of a large part of the
United States, I have given such time as I could to the study of insects affecting
meadows and pastures. Believing, however, that more could be accomplished by
giving attention to some particular group, and considering the great importance
of the Leaf-hoppers and other Homoptera, and the fact that they have been but
slightly studied in this connection, I have spent most of the time upon this group.
The study of these is rendered more difficult in consequence of the great number
of species as yet undescribed, and the lack of any complete literature upon known
American species. But for these very reasons there is the more need of their being
investigated. My results seem meager for the time devoted, but I believe that with
the material now brought together much more rapid progress can be made in future
studies.
Thanking you for the many favors received from your office, I am
Very respectfully,
HERBERT OSBORN.
Pror. C. V. RILEy,
U. S. Entomologist.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
While no wide-spread devastation has occurred in the State during
the past season there has been a considerable amount of damage from
a number of different species affecting various crops and operating in
different parts of the State.
Cut-worms of different species were unusually abundant, and I re-
ceived specimens and inquiries regarding them from different parts of
the State. They were quite troublesome in gardens, nurseries, and
fields in this locality. |
The Turf Web-worms (Crambus exsiccatus), reported on in detail two
years ago, were again quite abundant, but not so numerous or destruc-
tive as in 1887. An allied species (Crambus laqueatellus) was quite
18
19
abundant in the adult form in the latter part of May, and there is good
reason to believe that the larvie have the same destructive habit in
grass, and, from the occurrence of the imago so early in the season, it
would seem probable that as in exsiccatus there are two broods each
season.
Another moth nearly related to these web-worms occurred this sea-
son in great numbers in pastures and meadows, and though I have not
had opportunity to study the larval stage, it may be well to call attention
to it as a probable grass pest that may prove as troublesome as the spe-
cies of Crantbus. This is the Nomophila noctuella, and it was noticed in
greatest abundance from May 18 to 22 (1889). The species has been
observed as abundant in previous seasons and is probably a pretty con-
stant inhabitant of grass land.
During the latter part of May and first part of June the Blue Grass
in the vicinity suffered from the trouble called “ Silver Top,” the head
and upper joint of the stalk turning whitish. JI examined a number of
these withered and partly wilted stalks and in a few cases found Thrips
present, and in some cases swollen joints appearing as if affected with
Meromyza, the adults of which were very plentiful on grass a little
earlier. If due to Thrips, I think they must leave the grass almost as
soon as it begins to wither, as in the cases where I found them I selected
stems that were just beginning to turn white.
The Clover-seed Midge has appeared in this State, and the present
year is the first I think that it has been destructive. It has been re-
ported in a few localities and I swept the adults from clover in consider-
able numbers May 25. A very few were bred from clover heads in 1888.
Epitriz cucumeris was very abundant on potatoes, but as the vines
had a very vigorous growth in the early part of the season no serious
damage resulted.
Diabrotica vittata and D. 12-punctata were exceedingly plentiful and
furnished me material for some tests of X. O. Dust hitherto reported.
J also tried for these a mixture of London purple and kerosene emulsion
for the purpose of killing the beetles gathered on the squash vines and
preventing the complete destruction of foliage, depending upon the
London purple to kill the beetles gathering on the vines later. After
this application the vines did very well and I think the plan a success.
The beetles will, some of them, fly away before the kerosene takes effect,
but they probably all die in a short time. I have since noticed that
Prof. John B. Smith has used a similar plan for treating the Elm-leaf
Beetle, and it would seem to be applicable in many cases where the -
expense is not an obstacle and where it is desired to kill the bulk of the
insects gathered on plants before they have time to destroy foliage,
which they must do to some extent when treated with London purple.
Plant lice of many species were abundant in the latter part of the
season. Of these the Thorn-tree Aphid (Schizoneura crategt Oest.) was
especially conspicuous by its abundance on thorn trees. The common
20
Willow-Plant-louse (Melavanthus salicis) was brought or sent me a num-
ber of times, showing that it attracted unusual attention, and the eggs
deposited by the oviparous females were to be found in numbers under
the buds of willow twigs in late autumn. Of all the species noticed,
however, the swarms of the Dogwood Aphid (Schizoneura cornt Fab.)
were most remarkable. This species is referred to more particularly in
another place.
OBSERVATIONS ON INSECTS AFFECTING GRASSES.
The importance of the pastures and meadows in this State will be
conceded by every one familiar with its agriculture. Perhaps no other
single elementisof greater importance, furnishing, asit does, the basis
for the stock industry of the State.
The insects infesting meadows and pastures are therefore of the
greatest importance, and while their depredations are perhaps less con-
spicuous than those from insects affecting some other crops, I think it
can be clearly shown that the average annual loss in pastures and
meadows from insect injuries is equal to if not greater than the crop har-
vested or the amount consumed by cattle, horses, or sheep in pasture,
and probably furnishing a total annual loss greater than in any other
crop. Inordinary pasturage itis common, I believe, to allow two acres
of land to each cow, or, for convenience, let us say that one acre will
half supporta cow. At the same time that this cow is feeding there
are a million insects, more or less, of various kinds feeding upon the
same area by day and night from the time the snow melts in spring till
winter forces them to suspend their work.
The only compensation they can offer is that when dead (and they
die young), their million little carcasses dropping on the surface of the
soil return to it some of the material which has been built into their
tissues, increasing its richness and helping to support succeeding gene-
rations. |
In my report upon the Turf Web-worm two years ago, I gave the count
of burrows that had been opened by squirrels as twenty-five in one
instance and fifty in another, within a square yard, and it is not prob-
able that every burrow within those areas had been opened by squirrels.
The web-worms were, however, uncommonly abundant that season. If
we reduce the mean of these figures by one-half and allow two web-
worms to each square foot it means 87,120 to the acre, and then consider
that these worms cut down quantities of grass that they do not devour,
it would seem hardly too much to suppose that these alone would prove
a pretty even match for one half a cow in disposing of the grass grow-
ing on an acre.
All are familiar with the depredations of white grubs, and it is hardly
necessary to ask whether in seasons when these are plentiful they do
not destroy as much or more than would support at least half a cow.
Cutworms and Army worms are a constant source of loss in grass
21
land, and these with the grasshoppers, familiar to everybody, are capa-
ble of mowing down a quantity of grass during a season which ought
to be appreciated by the farmer. Grasshoppers need not be remarkably
plentiful to place a dozen to a square yard, over 50,000 to the acre, and
is it any wonder that pastures run short in seasons when rain is scarce
or grasshoppers a little more plentiful than usual ?
The kinds of insects so far mentioned perform their work in a way
that causes an actual lessening of bulk in the crop, but there is another
host, less noticeable in size as well as in method of work, whose actual
damage in reduction of available food for stock must be of very great
importance. These, like the Chinch Bug, which is one of their number,
simply puncture the leaves or stems of the grass and pump out its
juices, thereby abstracting much of the best food material even where
they do not cause a checking of growth and shriveling of the plants.
Many of these are insects of very minute proportions, but like the
Chinch Bug make up in numbers for their diminutive size. It is no
exaggeration I think to say that they occur by the million to the acre.
A million mouths against a half a mouth, and is it necessary that the
individual mouth be a very large one to make the aggregate food con-
sumed equal that of the half cow?
In order that my figures may not seem purely fanciful, I may state
that they are derived in part from actual count, but in all cases, when
count has been made, the circumstances have been such as to make the
numbers fall short of the actuality. .
‘I have captured leaf-hoppers on grass by throwing a net down verti-
eally and counting the number caught within the area inclosed by the
ring, and while it is hardly possible in this way to secure all that were
actually within that area the average of a number of such captures
gives nearly a million to the acre.
I have many times observed them when plentiful and tried to count
the number within a given area, but their activity makes this difficult.
By approaching them very slowly and keeping very quiet, I have on
some occasions been able to observe them closely and have on different
occasions been able to count many within the area of a few square inches ;
often two or more to asingle blade of grass, and consequently I feel sat-
isfied that the estimate based on the numbers captured are far below
the actual numbers frequently occurring during seasons when they are
ordinarily abundant and greatly under the number in seasons when
they have multiplied to any unusual degree. Itmay perhaps be urged
that, even allowing them to abound in this degree every season, they
are too small to consume a very great amount of food. Possibly a mill-
ion leaf-hoppers would not exceed in bulk the half of an average cow,
but it should be remembered also that they grow very rapidly and must
consequently use proportionately large quantities of food, and that they
extract the most nutritious parts of the grass. That grass forms the
bulk of their food has not I think been questioned, but to be certain on
22
this point I have observed them carefully and examined with partic-
ular care the grass blades on which I have seen them established.
On September 7, 1889, | swept grass where no other living plants
were to be seen and collected numerous Hemiptera of a number of dif-
ferent species, mostly Homoptera. The grass was very dry, brown, and
in many places appearing dead, but evidently still furnishing support
for the leaf-hoppers. There were but few other insects present, scarcely
any that could be supposed to feed upon grass, except some grasshop-
pers (Caloptenus femur-rubrum, species of Gidipoda, ete.). The species
of Homoptera collected may I think be considered as unquestionably
grass feeders. No other vegetation that could furnish them support
had been on the ground swept for weeks, and the insects swarmed on
every square foot. The grass commenced turning brown in patches
long before it should be expected to, if affected only by want of rain, as
it showed within ashort time after the lastrains, which had been quite
regular and copious, previous to the dry period of that time, and its dry-
ing up must have been hastened by losses due to the presence of in-
sects. The ground was not yet dry enough so that the grass could
have suffered from lack of moisture alone. Their presence on grass
seems to show its effect in two ways, though for one of them it is diffi-
cult to draw the line between the effects of leaf-hoppers and dryness.
In one the effect of punctures shows in numerous pale and dry spots on
the blades of grass resembling effects produced by related Homoptera
on other plants, apple-trees, pear-trees, grape-vines, etc. Such spots
ean not be found, however, in such numbers as would be expected if
there were one for every puncture by the millions of these insects that
occur in every piece of grass land. But the great bulk of the grass is
withered or dead down to a certain point near the ground (or to the
ground), which would naturally be the appearance if the leaf withered
from the lower punctures to the tip, thus obliterating all punctured
spots on the terminal portion.
The difference between grass withering from punctures and from lack
of moisture is perhaps not sufficiently different to furnish a very safe
basis for deduction, but in the latter case it is naturally more gradual
and holds for a longer time the green color of hay, so that for withered
grass not too long exposed I believe we should be able to distinguish in
some degree the difference between that killed by leaf-hoppers and that
dried by excessive heat and lack of moisture in the ground.
While this may fall short of actual demonstration, I think a careful
study of the effects in the field will convince any one that my conclusions
are justified by the facts and that, taking year after year, the amount ot
injury caused by insects of various kinds is fully equal to the amount
consumed by the stock ordinarily pastured on the sameland. It is evi-
dent, then, that the prevention or the reduction of the insect injuries
would add an equivalent amount to the return from such land. Instead
of one cow requiring two acres for pasturage,pastures comparatively free
23
from insects should support a cow to each acre through the entire sea-
son. It is certain that much of this loss can be prevented by simple
and inexpensive means. The capturing of the moths of Turf Web-worms
and Cut-worms will help much in reducing their number. Grasshop-
pers can be destroyed at the same time that Leaf-hoppers are, and by
use of the same means, and it would seem certain that a method costing
but 2 to 10 cents per acre might be applied with great profit for these
insects alone. It is my object here, however, to treat in detail only of
the remedies tried or proposed for Leaf-hoppers.
APPEARANCE AND HABITS OF LEAF-HOPPERS (JASSID Az).
The insects embraced in this group are almost afl small and rather
slender insects, with blunt or pointed heads and well-developed wings,
which at rest lie parallel along the back, usually sloping like a roof,
or partly inclosing the body. One of the most characteristic features,
however, is their habit of leaping when disturbed. All the species pos-
sess this habit, though some do not leap as readily as others. The largest
species common to grass are not over half an inchin length, while the
smaller ones are less than an eighth of an inch long. Many of the spe-
cies are extremely light and slender, almost invisible except when care-
fully observed, while others have short, thick bodies. Their colors are
well adapted to furnish them protection, many being green, others
yellowish or brownish, and in many cases they will not be noticed at
all on the grass until they leap, and then it is usually because of the
swarm that rise together that they become noticeable. All feed by
puncturing the plant and sucking out the juicy contents of the leaves
or stems. All, so far as known, puncture leaves or stems of plants to
deposit their eggs, frequently placing them under the epidermis only.
The larvee are commonly somewhat spiny at first and have the general
form of the adults, passing by gradual development with little change
through pupa stage to adult. Most of the species, if not all, pass the
winter as adults.
REMEDIES FOR LEAF-HOPPERS.
Burning.— For those species of leaf-hoppers which hibernate in grass,
and especially those which are active there during late fall and early
Spring, a thorough. burning over should prove of great advantage.
The Leaf-hoppers leap readily, but do not ordinarily fly any distance,
and especially when the weather is cool would be unable to escape from
the flames. In two pieces of grass land burnt over last spring and con-
venient for observation one showed fairly good results, keeping its color
well till late in summer, though surrounded by grass land, unburnt, on
three sides. The other, a pasture of some size, was in poor condition
all summer; but in this Turf Web-worms and Cut-worms were so
plenty that they alone were sufficient to account for its poor condition.
24
Plowing.—There seems little ground for hoping that the number of
Leaf-hoppers can be diminished materialiy by any system of plowing
under, or by rotation of crops. Grass is an essential on every farm,
and no system of starvation could be adopted, and even if deprived of
the common pasture grasses, the most of the species evidently thrive
on the fox-tails and other grasses that flourish as weeds. The leaf-
hoppers are too active to be plowed under and can readily migrate to
other fields. Kggs for most of the species, at least, are not deposited
at any fixed time of the year, and while by plowing under in May, June,
or August many eggs might be buried, plenty of hoppers would
escape to the surrounding grass land to keep the farm well stocked.
Mowing.—When the grass in which Leaf-hoppers have been very
abundant is cut short, leaving only a dry stubble, the inseets seem to
be forced to migrate, as few or none can be found in such places a few
days after the cutting nor untila new growth gives them a source of
fresh food supply. While eariy cutting of meadows badly infested
might result in saving a larger crop, if must follow that the Leaf-hoppers
would travel to pastures or other grass land, and it would be simply a
question as to where they would do the greater amount of damage. It
would seem feasible, however, to take advantage of the time when the
crop has been just removed to use hopper dozers or other means for
capturing them before they have left for fresh pasture. We know, as
yet, too little as to where and when the bulk of the eggs are deposited
to say whether cutting at any particular time would result in the de-
struction of any number of eggs. While we know that Leaf-hoppers de-
posit eggs in stems and leaves of plants, we are not acquainted with
their full history or the methods of different species, so that it would
be unsafe at present to base remedies on this part of their history.
Capturing in Nets.—The ease with which all species of leaf-hoppers
affecting grass can be taken in sweep-nets led me to try thé use of this
principle on a larger scale. I therefore had a couple of wire frames
made 3 feet long, fastened a deep cheese-cloth net to each and attached
these to two long handles, so that the frame of one would brush the
ground about a foot behind the forward one. The object of having two
nets was to secure the hoppers which allowed the first wire to pass over
them before leaping. With the handles the net was pushed forward so
that the insects were not disturbed till the approach of the net and a
Strip of ground a yard wide was gone over either at a walk or a run.
While numerous insects were secured by this plan, Grasshoppers, Moths,
Clover-seed Midges, and large numbers of Leaf-hoppers, the count of
those secured from the nets showed that as compared with what must
actually exist on the same ground as shown by other captures, only a
portion of the Leaf-hoppers were thus secured, and considering the
trouble of holding and destroying all the insects captured, I concluded
that this plan was not equal to the hopper-dozer for this purpose. The
second net captured a goodly number of insects as well as the forward
25
one and probably held them better, as they could not as readily fiy out
after having entered. It was found that more insects were captured
when the net was pushed ata ran that when walking. Probably even
then mazy insects succeeded in flying out of the forward net.
Nets arranged in this manner, two or even three in succession, might
be made eight or ten feet long and run by boys, one at each end. The
forward net should be closed as soon asa stop is made, and the nets all
closed at the finish, when they may be left a day or two for the insects
to die. Usually there are enough predaceous species captured to kill
the others rapidly, and such species could then be set free. Many
species of insects beside the Leaf-hoppers are caught by this device, and
some, such as the moths of Turf Web- worms, and Cut-worms, smail Dip-
tera, Clover-seed Midges, etc., that are not as apt to be taken in the hop-
per dozer.
Hopper Dozer.—This simple contrivance (a sheet-iron pan containing
kerosene and water or coal tar, to be dragged over the infested ground),
devised for the destruction of the Rocky Mountain Locust, possesses the
essential qualities for the destruction of the Leaf hoppers as well. I
believe that it can be used with profit in any pasture affected with these
pests. The delicate Leaf-hoppers are killed by the kerosene almost the
instant they touch it, and though my trials with it were made when the
weather was so cool that the hoppers did not leap with their usual ac-
tivity, they showed that it would operate successfully. It would be
best, probably, to use it for these during warm days, when the insects
are at their greatest activity, and early enough in the spring to catch
the hibernating adults before they deposit eggs, repeating the opera-
tion, if necessary, in July, and for meadows immediately after the re-
moval of the hay crop. Perhaps two pans, one behind the other, will
prove advantageous.
The Shield Method.—A plan that is scarcely more than a modification
of the above has been recently highly recommended for the destruction
of the Leaf-hoppers infesting grapes. A quite similar plan was adopted
fer the destruction of the Rocky Mountain Locust years ago and is
described in the first report of the United States Ent. Com.; and in his
first annual report as State Entomologist of New York, Professor Lint-
ner suggests its use for ‘“‘low-feeding insects” ‘especially hopping
species.” I have not as yet tested it myself, but will give the plan, that
others may test it for these insects if disposed. A piece of drilling or,
what would be cheaper still, a strip of building paper is fastened to a
light wooden frame and is coated with coal-tar or gas-tar, the residue
from distilling off kerosene from petroleum, or from gas manufacture.
In case of grape Leat-hoppers this frame is held as near the vines as pos-
sible by one man, while another lifts the branches. The hoppers darting
against the shield are caught and killed. For grass Leaf-hoppers the
frame would be set on runners and could be made 10 to 15 feet
long and run by a boy or man at eachend. The best angle at which to
26
hold it would be soon determined by trials, and if sloping back it might
be that the underside of the shield, if coated with the tar, would capture
hoppers as wellas the upper. As coal-tar can be secured in most towns
at small expense, and as the frame for the shield costs but little, this
method should be applied at a cost of not more than 5 to 8 cents per acre,
and could be repeated two or three times during a season if either Grass-
hoppers or Leaf hoppers become plenty.
It could be used in meadows or tall grass by mounting the frames on
runners high enough so that the grass while being bent over should
have plenty of room to pass under the shield, but would not be likely
to work well when pollen is flying from the grass blossoms or when the
seed begins to fall, as the tar would so soon become covered with the
dust and chaff.
NATURAL ENEMIES OF LEAF-HOPPERS.
But little is known regarding natural enemies for these active little
insects. I have found the common Corisecus ferus very plenty in all grass
land examined, and where but few other insects were present to furnish
it food. When ieft in nets with Leaf-hoppers the latter are soon found
dead, while the Coriscus thrives, and knowing their very carnivorous
habits, there can, I think, be no question as to their serving a useful
purpose in killing these as well as other grass pests. As this species
does not have the leaping habit it is less likely to be destroyed in “ hop-
per dozers” than the hopping species, and consequently these remedies
can be used with little danger of destroying this natural check to the
multiplication of injurious species.
SPECIES OF LEAF-HOPPERS OBSERVED IN GRASS.
THE TENDERFOOT LEAF-HOPPER.
(Diedrocephala mollipes Say.)
This widely distributed species is perhaps the most abundant of its
genus, and is unquestionably a source of much loss in pastures and
meadows. Professor Uhler states its range as ‘‘ Texas, Colorado, Mexico,
and the southern part of the Atlantic region.” It is one of the most
abundant insects in the Upper Mississippi Valley, and I have found it
in great numbers on blue-grass and on prairie grasses, where this must
have been its principal, if not only, source of food. Other grasses would
seem to serve it equally well. Professor Uhler says (Standard Natural
History, vol. II, p. 249):
The salt marshes of the Atlantic States furnish places of shelter for it, where it
may be found on reedy grasses in all stages from June till October.
That it prefers moist places is evidenced by its comparative scarcity
on high ground in dry seasons, and its greater abundance in the vicinity
of thickets as well as in low ground at such times. It is about one-
: 27
third of an inch long, of a bright grass-green color, the head and thorax
above yellow. It varies considerably in size, and the females average
considerably larger than the males. The head is sharply pointed, has
a number of fine black lines on its upper surface; the face is shaded
dark brown, and has a double series of transverse bars.
The larvee which appear to be most common in early summer are light
green or yellowish, and agree with the adults in having the head sharply
pointed. I have found them most common in May and June, and, as
adults are abundant from this time till autumn, it is difficult to say
whether there is more than one brood. I have not seen adults in winter
or early spring, and it seems possible that eggs in this and allied species
are laid in fall to hatch in spring. As this would be contrary to the
habit of the majority of insects in this family it will require further ob-
servation to establish it. It is at least quite certain that they do not
hibernate as adults in grass, and unless eggs are deposited in stems of
grass or other plants in grass land the insect can not be destroyed by
burning in early winter or spring. It will be seen that there are im-
portant points to determine about this very common insect, and means
of destroying it may depend in large degree upon the determination
of some of the very simple steps in its life-history. It jumps readily,
and like other members of the family may be treated on the ‘“ hopper-
dozer” plan.
THE NEw York LEAF-HOPPER.
(Diedrocephala noveboracensis Fitch.)
This species is a little larger than the mollipes, but resembles it very
closely. Its head, however, is less acute, and there are four distinct
black spots on the front margin of the head, two of them close together
at the tip and one each side in front of the eyes; the lower surface of
the head lacks the brown color of mollipes, or is but faintly browned.
Their habits appear to be much the same, and they are often found in
the same locations, though I have found this species more commonly
in the grass in wooded pastures or at the borders of thickets. I have
never observed it in such abundance as I have the mollipes, and ordi-
narily it is probably of little importance. With equal numbers it would
of course be as serious a pest as any of the other species of the family.
Professor Uhler says it is common in many parts of the United States
north of Maryland and it extends north into Canada and British Co-
lumbia.
(Diedrocephala versuta Say.)
This species bears a striking resemblance to coccinea, and has very
similar habits, occurring in similar localities, and probably living upon
the same plants. While Say’s description was published in 1831 I know
of no reference to the species in works on Economic Entomology, and
28 :
no reference that would indicate its occurrence in destructive numbers.
It ts introduced here as one of a group of insects whose importance will
I believe be more appreciated when their habits become better known.
THE RED-BACKED LEAF-HOPPER.
(Diedrocephala coccinea Forster.)
So far as I have observed this is not an abundant Species, and while
evidently common throughout the United States I know of no record
of its multiplying to numbers sufficient to make it destructive. I have
found it usually in the vicinity of timber or thickets, and while it prob-
ably subsists on grasses does not select the open meadows or pastures
but localities affording more moisture and shade. Itis a handsome and
conspicuous species, the upper surface when wings are closed being
largely of a deep red color with dark blue or blue-green stripes. It was
described under the name of Cicada coccinea by Forster (J. R.), in 1781
(Novae. Spec. Insect., p. 96), and afterward by Say as Tettigonia quadri-
vittata.
THE HIEROGLYPHIC LEAF-HOPPER.
(Tettigonia hieroglyphica Say.)
This was quite an abundant species the past season, but the majority
of the specimens taken were found in the grasses of timber or among
the low herbage along ravines, grassy banks, ete.
Professor Uhler says it ‘inhabits Texas, the foot-hills, and plains of
Colorado from August to October, and the Atlantic region throughout.”
It is somewnat smaller than the mollipes, usually less than one-fourth of
an inch in length; the head is rounded in front and marked with irregu-
lar black crescentic spots and bars. There is much variation in depth
of coloring and extent of marking so that it is difficult to give a brief
description that will be distinctive. While it was described in 1831 by
Say, it has not been so abundant or noted as sufficiently destructive to
. get a place in the literature of economic entomology. Like many other
of the species of this family, however, it has been lumped off with
many of its relatives among the injurious leaf-hoppers, and hence
should not be regarded as hitherto unmentioned among injurious
species.
THE FOUR-POINTED AGALLIA.
(Agallia quadripunctata Proy.).
This species appears to be common throughout most of the United
States, although I am not aware of its having been recorded as occur-
ring in great abundance at any place. It is, however, one of the species
which occurs in considerable numbers and does its share toward injur-
ing the vegetation of pastures and meadows.
—_—-
~_
29
Whether it feeds mainly on grasses or attacks also the various plants
growing with grasses I can not at present say, as it has not been studied
in such connection as to determine this point.
It is about an eighth of an inch in length and of a yellowish-brown
color with scarcely any decided markivgs except two black points on
the front margin of the head and two similar points at the hind margin
of the prothorax. These latter points are nearly in line with those on
the head, though a little farther apart, so that the four points stand
nearly at the corners of animaginary square. Other points within the
square are in some specimens quite distinct, but not so conspicuous as
the ones described. The species appears to have been first described
by M. Provancher (Nat. Can., [V, 376), in 1872, but it has quite gen-
erally been known among entomologists as Agallia flaccida Uhl. Mr.
KE. P. Van Duzee (Entom. Amer., V., p. 167) says:
This species I have received in exchange from a number of correspondents as
Agallia flaccida Uhler, and have so used the name myself in exchanging and in the
List of Muskota Hemiptera. It seems to have been an early manuscript name of Mr.
Uhler.
But little can be stated regarding the life history of this species and
there are probably no important differences between this and other spe-
cies of the same family. Nearly all the specimens taken or observed
have been mature, and without rearing it would be uncertain whether
larve apparently of this species really belonged to it. Adults have
been taken at different times of the year, and probably it can be found
in this condition during each month of the year. Mr. Van Duzee says
in the article quoted above that ‘‘ this is a very abundant species in
western New York from early in May until September, and in fact the
year round, as it appears to hibernate in the adult state, as do many
if not all the Jassid@.” ; :
I have not found it in grass during winter, and can not say whether
it hibernates mainly in pastures and meadows or seeks the shelter of
dead leaves and rubbish in thickets, hedges, ete.
Agalltia sanguinolenta Prov.
This little Leaf-hopper has been quite common in this locality during
the last few years, and while never so abundant that it can be counted
a serious pest in itself it must be counted in with related species in any
enumeration which pretends to give the grass-feeding species. That it
has a wide range is indicated by the following from Professor Uhler
(Bull. U.S. Geol. and Geog. Surv., vol. I, p.359[93, of part], 1876): “This
is a very variable little insect, which is not confined to the region of
the Rocky Mountains, but which has been found likewise in Texas, in
British Columbia, Canada, and New England.”
It was described under the name of Bythoscopus sanguinolentus by M.
Provancher in 1872 (Naturaliste Canadien, [V, 376) and in 1876 by Pro-
fessor Uhler under the name of Bythoscopus siccifolius. Mr. BE, P.Van
30
Duzee has, however, in the Entomologica Americana (V., 166) placed
this latter as a synonym, and remarks: °
Through the kindness of M. Provancher I had the pleasure of examining a typical
example of his species and have thus been able te compare it directly with Mr.
Uhler’s description, and find that it agrees in every particular. It is not an un-
common species here (Buffalo, N. Y.) on grass and weeds in pastures and road sides,
especially where Carex and Juncus abound.
It is a little smaller than the quadripunctata and rather broader in
proportion, and is quite readily distinguished from that species by the
dark wing veins and the more decided markings on the head and pro-
thorax. Itis scarcely an eighth of an inch in length and fully one-third
as wide as long.
A dark form which differs from the typical ones, so far as I can see,
only in the greater intensity of the markings is perhaps even more
common here than the typical form, and this I have found fairly plenty
and quite active in blue-grass lawn during the latter part of November,
so that we may be pretty certain that it hibernates under grass and
probably feeds more or less during mild weather of late fall and early
winter. It can also be considered as quite certain that it can live ex-
clusively upon grass, as in the localities where I have observed it it
could scarcely have been depending on other vegetation for its food.
THE WAVY-SPOTTED LEAF-HOPPER.
(Allygus irroratus Say.)
The propriety of including this species in a discussion of grass in-
sects may possibly be questioned, since its range of food plants is very
great. There is no question, however, that plants of the grass family
are among those most commonly affected by it, and I have found it
abundant in grass land, where evidently this was its only source of
food. It will be unnecessary, however, to detail its method of work, as
it agrees so nearly with other members of the same family, and all
methods of treatment must be based on similar principles. It may be
stated, however, that there is as yet no evidence, so far as I knew, that
it hibernates in grass, and therefore those remedies based on that habit
in some of the species will not be applicable to this. Descriptions of
the species were published by Say in 1831, and since that time the spe-
cies has had frequent mention in entomological works, but only ocea-
sional reference to it as an injurious species is made, and in these ref-
erences it is as often spoken of as a grain pest.
TuE DESTRUCTIVE LEAF-HOPPER.
(Cicadula exitiosa Uhler.)
When attention was first called to this species it was from its attacks
on wheat, but that it is of equal if not greater importance as a grass
pest seems to me pretty clear after the observations of the present
31
season, and it would be interesting to know whether, in the reported
destruction to wheat, this crop bad not followed grass or whether the
insects had not simply traveled from grass land. I have taken them
in abundance from grass, and in blue-grass, where no other living plants
were near, they occurred in large numbers, so that there would seem to be
no question as to grass being their natural food. They have been
reported as abundant and destructive on timothy in Missouri. (INSECT
LiFe, Vol. I, p. 381).
They are about two-tenths of an inch in length, of a brownish color,
and the wings are rather prominently marked with dark veins. It is
an active species, jumps and flies readily, and is easily captured in a
sweep-net, and would probably fall an easy victim to the “hopper dozer”
or “shield,” where these can be used.
It was described by Professor Uhler in the American Entomologist,
Vol. II], p. 73 (1880), and a description and an account of its injuries to
wheat in the Carolinas and Georgia occurs in the Report of the Depart-
ment of Agriculture for 1879.
THE HurtruL LEAF-HOPPER.
(Jassus inimicus Say.)
Of all.the species of Homoptera that I have observed infesting grass
this has been unquestionably the most abundant and constant in its
depredations. It is par excellence a grass pest, and is found in great
numbers in pastures and meadows at all seasons of the year, even in
warm days of early winter, being found hopping actively about among
the blades of grass and probably extracting some slight amount of food
material even during this season. During the past season they have
been especially numerous and destructive, or at least my attention has
been called to them more frequently than before. My notes show them
swarming in May, June, July, August, and September, and, recently,
the latter part of November, and, later, December 12. I have found
them scarcely less plentiful and active in the grass on blue-grass lawn.
Lobserved them also in great numbers in all the pastures and meadows
that I examined while in Linn County, in the eastern part of the State,
in the latter part of June. Actual killing of grass by them is, however,
a somewhat difficult matter to prove, and, except in seasons of unusual
dryness, there is probably not sufficient withering of the grass from
their presence to attract attention. In July and August grass here
showed injury by turning brown in patches, and this commenced too
soon after rains to be referred entirely to drought.
Later in the summer (September.7 and later), when the attacks of the
leaf-hopper had caused most of the lawn to appear brown, such patches
were not conspicuous. Examination of the grass where blades were
not entirely withered would show in many cases brown spots of varying
sizes, generally with the center on or near the midrib, and from small
32
spots of this kind all gradations of withering could be found up to
where the entire blade was withered or brown. Plenty of these insects
were to be found even where the grass was comparatively dry, but that
they preferred the more juicy grass was shown by their accumulation in
shaded places or where the grass presented more vigorous aspect.
They could be secured in abundance from patches where no other veg-
etation occurred, and in the absence of other insects in numbers to
cause the withering mentioned, there can be no question, I think, as to
the serious nature of their attacks upon the grass. Even when they do
not cause withering of grass they must draw seriously upon its vitality.
I have thus far been unable to separate any definite broods. Adults
occur during the entire year, and larvie, which may be quite certainly
referred to this species, may be found associated with them during the
most of the summer months. Larvee are perhaps most common during
June and in August and September, but whether there are two broods
or three, or an indefinite number depending only on the length of the
season, | can not now say. It seems most probable, however, that
breeding goes on irregularly all through the summer months, but that
the adults of spring are represented by only two or three generations
of progeny, and the’members of the latest broods survive the winter to
begin the production of new generations in the spring.
In connection with his description of the species, which was published
in 1831, Say makes the remark that ‘‘ When in the larva state this
Species is said to depredate on the roots of wheat. Several specimens
were sent me by Professor Green in the year 1822, who received them
from a farmer in Virginia.”
Considering the wide distribution and great abundance of this species,
it seems strange that it should have been so little studied or so rarely
mentioned in works on injurious insects.
The insect is somewhat less than a fourth of an inch long and appears
grayish or yellowish gray, and about the most constant marking are two
dots on the front of the head, two on prothorax, and two on scutellum.
A form lighter than the typical examples but which seems to me only
alight variety, has even these dots obscure or wanting.
The larvee are light yellowish but seem to be subject to about as
much variation as the adults. An extreme form of larvie, probably be-
longing to this species, has dark margins to the prothorax and abdomen.
Several other species of Jasside have been observed in grass, but as
they are not as yet determined I omit further mention of them at this
time.
THE GRASS-ROOT PLANT-LOUSE ALIAS THE DOGWOOD PLANT-LOUSE.
(Schizoneura corni Fab.)
Probably the most interesting result of my season’s observations
from a scientific stand-point, and it may be the most important econom-
ically, is the determination of the identity of a form of plant-louse in-
33 ;
festing the roots of grasses during the summer with one occurring on
the leaves of dogwood during autumn. The full import of this connee-
tion from the economic stand-point can not be known till it is determined
how many species of grasses are affected by the root form and to what
extent the migration to dogwood exposes it to attack. If its occurrence
is confined to the annual grasses (and it seems to occur only on these),
its importance to the farmer will be much less than if itis found to work
also on perennial species.
A brief statement of the connection between these two forms was
published in Insect LIFE (Vol. II, pp. 108-9), but a fuller account, with
details of observations, is proper at this time.
My attention was first called to this species on September 15, when I
noticed the air was filled with small insects, which on capture were
found to be plant-lice of the genus Schizoneura. Their immense num-
bers, filling the air as far as could be seen in all directions, naturally
excited my interest, and I walked some distance in the direction from
which they seemed mainly to come (which was with the wind), but
without locating their origin, except to observe that they were resting
on all sorts of plants and were very plentiful along roads and paths
where fox-tail and other grasses were plenty. Upon examination I de-
termined the specimens gathered to be Schizoneura corni Fab., speci-
mens of which I had gathered a year or two ago from dogwood. It
seemed difficult, however, to account for such an immense swarm of them
when dogwood is not especially abundant in the immediate vicinity and
had not been observed as infested with aphids. In looking over de-
scriptions of allied species I was struck by the close agreement with
descriptions of Schizoneura panicola Thos., and, following this lead, I
examined the roots of Setaria and Panicum on September 16, when the
winged forms were again numerous in the air. My search was almost
immediately rewarded with the finding of numerous wingless Schizo-
neure, aud among them some which showed wing-pads aud two with wings
partly expanded. These were compared carefully with winged corni
found flying ard also with corni from dogwood, and showed such close
agreement that I felt it important to follow the matter up. One of the
specimens, with wings partly developed, was mounted in balsam for
future reference; the others, on grass roots, were put in breeding jars.
Their subsequent history will be stated later on.
Examinations in the field on the 18th showed lice still somewhat
plenty on grass roots, though the Setaria examined failed to show them
in very greatabundance. Examinations the same day, of the dogwood
in the timber near, showed on the very first bush noticed numbers of
the winged (pseudogyne) individuals, and with them numbers of small
larve evidently just extruded. The colonies accompanying each
pseudogyne contained from one to a number of larvae, but none of these
could have been more than a day or two old, all very small, scarcely
larger than when first born, In no case could I find a leaf on any of
23479—No, 22——3
34
the bushes examined which contained any colonies without the winged
mother or where there was the slightest evidence of the previous
presence of aphides; no cast skins from old colonies or damaged leaves,
and every indication went to prove that the winged form had just settled
upon the trees and begun the formation of colonies. While perhaps of
little value as proof, it may also be mentioned that no Schizoneure had
been observed on Cornus this fall prior to this date or before the swarm-
ing of September 15. A number of branches containing colonies were
brought in and kept in water for the purpose of folowing their devel-
opment. This was fortunate, as the colonies on the plants out of doors
were almost all depopulated a few days later by predaceous insects,
so much so that the colonies on plants near at hand and on which I
depended for following the species out of doors utterly failed to furnish
material for that purpose. Indoors the insects developed rapidly and
were followed as closely as circumstances would permit. Molting in
these occurred by the 19th, and apparently only one molt occurred
before maturity. Only one brood was developed, these becoming sex-
ually mature September 25. Both males and females were apterous
and copulation took place upon the leaves and also upon the twigs, the
females often traveling down the twigs and branches while copulation
was in progress. In every case the females seemed to travel down the
branches as far as possible before depositing eggs, and great numbers
of them dropped into the water in which the branches were kept. In
the woods I have been unable to find any eggs whatever under buds on
twigs, and so far as the indoor observations go they differ from those
recorded by Mr. Weed. Whether this be due to dryness, the insects
seeking a place of some degree of moisture, can be determined by com-
parisons under varying conditions. .
Two weeks after the swarming of winged lice in the air there was
another swarming, though the lice were not so numerous as at the first
time. This swarming also followed a rain with subsequent cold. As
in the preceding case, examination of Cornus in the woods showed nu-
merous winged individuals starting colonies, though at this time in
some places it was possible to find the cast skins of previous colonies,
all of which, however, so far as I could find, had been destroyed by
predaceous insects or other causes. My search for eggs in the woods
has been futile, and it would seem that nearly all the colonies were de-
stroyed before the maturity of the sexual individuals. I have feund,
however, oval bodies a trifle larger than the eggs, but resembling them
at first sight, though flattened, but which prove to be a small species
of Lecanium, apparently undescribed.
The lice occurring on the roots of grass, and which were placed in
breeding jar the 16th, were mostly unaltered on the 19th, but in the jar
I found a fully winged specimen, agreeing exactly, so far as could be
seen with hand lens, in the living individual, with specimens flying and
also with those on Cornus. It was transferred to a leaf of Cornus on
35
twig inserted in water, isolated from other leaves, and which had been
carefully examined with lens to see that it was free from larvie, and
protected by cheese-cloth cover. This individual took kindly to the
situation, remained constantly on the leaf, and produced a number of
larvee which developed as rapidly as those brought from the woods,
agreeing perfectly with them in every particular that I could observe,
and proving their ability to develop on Cornus. Unfortunately their
propensity for traveling down the twigs resulted in their being drowned
in the water in which the twig was kept. I think, however, that their
developing perfectly on the Cornus leaf, and the perfect agreement of
apterous males and females so developed with those occurring normally
on Cornus in woods, is good evidence of identity.
In the meantime lice had been found in some numbers on the roots of
grasses not yet dead, especially on Panicum, and many of these had
been placed in breeding-jars in hopes of securing additional winged
specimens. While apparently thriving they failed to acquire wings,
but on September 24 I observed in one of the jars an apterous individ-
ual, and directly behind it an egg evidently fresh-laid, elongate, oval,
greenish, polished, like eggs of cornt on Cornus. This was mounted
with the apterous individual, and in the body of the latter another egg
was apparent. The egg was laid at the surface of the earth in the jar,
and similar eggs were found in pill-boxes in which root-lice were con-
fiied. A close examination of roots, especially those of Panicum from
the field, enabled me to find a number of small apterous individuals like
the males on Cornus leaves, as well as the small apterous and oviparous
females. These occurred with a larger form, exactly like those which
had been observed to acquire wings, and the conclusion seemed inevi-
table that these viviparous and apterous forms produced in the ground
a brood of apterous males and females. These latter were observed
attempting coition, though in no case did I see the act completed. The
males are of an orange color, darker than the females, and differ from
males on Cornus leaves in being shorter, and in lacking the purplish tint
usually present in those. The females. agree well with females on
Cornus leaves, but are shorter, have six-jointed antenne, and are
slightly lighter colored, which would be expected in individuals living
under-ground. September 28, eggs from these root-forms were more
numerous, and by October 3 I found them quite plenty in my jars.
One oviparous female was observed with three eggs extruded from the
body, adhering by the ends, and the last one still partly within the
body. They are whitish at first, but turn yellow on exposure, and later
turn quite dark.
The eggs seem to be deposited at hap-hazard on surface of earth,
sides of boxes or jars, and each female appears to produce but two or
three eggs.
These observations, I am free to confess, appear to complicate the
round of life of the species, and to make the complete circle from grass
36
to dogwood and back less clearly defined, but such a dimorphism, if we
may call it so, is not without parallel, and does not seem unreasonable.
There seems reason to believe that while ‘a large proportion of the
pseudogynes acquire wings of perfect development, and migrate to dog-
wood, that there is also another portion in which the wings for some rea-
son fail to develop, and these from necessity remain on the roots or at
best remain near the surface of the ground, and the sexual generation
produced by them at the same time as from the winged ones, or perhaps
a little later develop by feeding upon grass roots, and deposit their eggs
where they have themselves developed. As to whether these eggs are
as successful in their further development as the ones deposited on
Cornus remains for further observations to determine. Possibly in cer-
tain seasons they may survive better, and thus provide a double means
for the preservation of the species. As to the conditions which might
affect the acquisition of wings we can do little more than speculate, but
it seems proper to call attention to the possible elements that may fur-
nish a solution.
The day before the first swarming of Schizoneura (14th) had been
very warm in the middle of the day, with a heavy shower in the latter
part of the afternoon, followed by a steady rain in the fore part of the
night, and this by a sharp fall in temperature, so that the morning of
the 15th was clear and cold (possibly a slight frost). The day remained
cold, but was bright and sunny, and the swarming observed occurred in
the latter part of the afternoon. Some other aphids were observed on
the wing, but very few as compared with the swarms of corni. 8S. cornt
was seen in the air on subsequent days, but comparatively scarce till,
again two weeks later (29th), after a very similar condition of weather
(warm, with rain, followed by cold), when another swarming occurred.
Now, it may be that those individuals, which are at a certain stage when
such conditions occur, are enabled to acquire wings while those less fully
developed remain without the full expansion of these appendages.
In comparing the two forms infesting grass roots and dogwood, re-
spectively, I have studied great numbers of wingless individuals,
winged forms and apterous males and females, and have come to the
conclusion that. they must all belong to the same species. It will, how-
ever, be in place, I think, to place in position for comparison the differ-
ent descriptions which have been given of the species to show that,
notwithstanding the terms used by different authors, and their wide
separation in time and place, there is no real discrepancy inthem. The
original description by Fabricius is very short and general, and is as
follows (Ent. Syst., LV, p. 214, No. 19):
Corni. A. Corni sanguine.
Habitat in Corni sanguine foliis.
Corpus nigrum abdomine basi et subtus virescente. Pedes nigri. Anus absque stylo
et corniculis.
Juniores pallid: macula magna, dorsali, nigra,
Se
37
Passerini, in Gli Afidi (1860), describes the root form as follows :
Schizoneura venusta, m.
Femina vivipara aptera ovata-convexa, pallide viridis, vel interdum rubella; capite,
fasciis dorsalibus anticis tribus, macula discoidali quadrata, fasciis posticis duabus,
punctisque marginalibus nigris. Rostrum crura media attingens. Long., 1’.
Femina vivipara alata capite et thorace nigris. Abdomen viridi luteolum vel ru-
bellum, vittis transversis anticis duabus, macula discoidali subrotunda, fasciis dua-
bus posticis, punctisque marginalibus nigris. Nectaria tuberculiformia nigra. Ala
hyaline, venis stigmateque nigris. Long., }/”, 1’.
Nympha lutea, capite et thorace pulverulentis.
Turmatim in radicibus Setariz viridis, 8. glauce, 8. italics, Panici glabri, Eragros-
tidis megastachyz et Ceratochlow australis. Autumno.
Valde similis Schizoneure corni, que autem diversa dorso omnino nigro in apteris,
et abdominz basi et apice tantum albido in alatis.
Thomas gives a translation in his work on Aphid, which reads:
Schizoneura venusta Pass.
Wingless female.—Ovate convex, pale green, and sometimes reddish; head, three
anterior dorsal fasciz, a quadrate discoidal spot, two posterior fascie and marginal
points, black. Rostrum extending about to the middle legs. Length (of body), 1™™.,
Winged female.—Head and thorax black. Abdomen, greenish-red or yellowish; two
anterior fasciz, a subrotund discoidal spot and marginal points, black. Nectaries
tubereuliform and black. Length, ~ to 1™™.
Pupa, yellowish, head and thorax pulverulent. Found on roots of Setaria viridis,
S. glauca, S. italica, Panicum glabrum, Eragrostis megastachya and Ceratochloa aus-
tralis in autumy.
This translation is incomplete and imperfect, especially in the dimen-
sions, which are given as millimeters instead of lines (twelfths of an
inch), which would lead one to suppose them about half the actual size.
So far as I can see, Passerini’s original description*is entirely appli-
cable to the specimens obtained from roots of grasses here as well as to
fresh specimens of corni on Cornus leaves.
Walsh published the following descriptions (in 1862) in the Proceed-
ings of the Entomological Society of Philadelphia, Vol. I, p. 304.
Eriosoma? fungicola n. sp.
From recent specimens. Body black, with a plumb-like bloom ; basal half of abdo-
men and whole of venter yellow. Antennae and legs black. Wings hyaline with a
dusky tinge; veins dusky, black on the basal half of the costa; third discoidal hya-
line nearly to its fork, stigma palish brown. Numerous individuals unaccompanied by
larve, occurred on a large moist fungus a hundred yards from the nearest trees,
which were all oaks. Beat solitary individuals unaccompanied by larve or woolly
matter, on two separate occasions from oaks, which, when dried, differ only from the
dried specimen of those found on fungus by the metathorax being varied with pale
greenish, as well as the base of the abdomen. Length to tip of wings .12to.13 inch.
The antenne do not quite attain the base of the first discoidal when the wings are
expanded, and the stigma is rather more than twice as long as wide. Six speci-
mensinall. £. querci Fitch is larger (.16 inch) and is entirely black. Differs also
from the other described United States species.
Eriosoma? cornicola, n. sp.
Differs from the preceding only in the body being entirely black. Numerous indi-
viduals, unaccompanied by any flocculent matter, and so far as I recollect by larve,
occurred in September on the lower side of the leaves of the Red osier dogwood.
Ten specimens.
38
Dr. Thomas, inrepeating these descriptions in the ‘A phididz” (Sth Re-
port State Entomologist of Ilinois, pp. 141, 142), separates the two by
Schizoneura carye Fitch, so that “ Differs from preceding only,” ete., re-
fers to carye and not to fungicola. This circumstance is liable to mis-
lead, unless Walsh’s original descriptions are at hand for reference, and
may account for the uncertainties that have been stated in efforts to
determine Walsh’s cornicola found on Cornus.
Considering that fungicola was on a fungus, a plant never known to
support Aphides, and that the difference noted by Walsh is such as
results from greater maturity of specimens that have located on Cornus,
and further, that fungicola agrees perfectly with both descriptions of
corni and with fresh individuals found on Cornus leaves, it seems pretty
certain that these two descriptions refer to one and the same species.
Thomas’ description of S. panicola, published in 1879 (8th Report,
State Entom., Illinois, p. 138), is as follows, and is said to have been
written from recent alcoholic specimens :
Winged female.—The front wings with the third discoidal veins once forked; third
vein obsolete at base; first and second veins arising very near each other; stigma
short, rounded behind; fourth vein nearly straight; costal bent outward to the base,
leaving arather wide space between it and the subcostal; antenn short, reaching
about to the base of the fore wing; slightly hairy; third joint rather longeythan the
fourth and fifth united; sixth slightly longer than the fifth, with a very short, in-
distinct, blunt spur at the tip; beak rather long, reaching nearly to the hind coxa,
slightly hairy ; eyes present and of the usual size or nearly so.
Wingless female.—(Probably not fully developed.) Very broadly ovate and very
convex, being suborbicular; antenne, reaching about to the end of the thorax, rather
thick and heavy and not tapering to apical joints, if any difference rather thicker
than the middle ones; third joint longest but not quite equal to the fourth and fifth
united; fifth rather longer than the fourth, gibbous on one side at the tip; sixth
nearly as long as the third; beak, long, reaching fully to the hind cox ; color of the
alcoholic specimens, reddish-yellow ; eyes minute and black.
Found on the roots of Panicum glabrum and other grasses by H. [Th.?] Pergande
at St. Louis, Mo., in November.
The difference in the length of the beak will certainly distinguish this from Tychea
panici, even supposing the antennze in the latter to be undeveloped.
Mr. O. W. Oestlund,in Synopsis of the Aphididee of Minnesota (Bull.
No. 4, Geol. and Nat. Hist. Surv. of Minn.) describes both corni and
panicola, and their identity could not be more strikingly indicated.
S. cornt.
Head and thorax black; abdomen reddish-black, with a large patch of velvety
black covering all of the dorsum except three and some of the last segments. An-
tenn reaching to the end of thorax; not annulated, hairy, with a single row of cir-
cular sensoria on the under side, about six to the third joint, three to the fourth, two
to the fifth, and one at the contraction of the sixth; III, 0.30™™; IV, 0.12™™; V, 0.10™™;
VI, 0.15™™, with the short unguis. Beak reaching third coxa. Wmtngs hyaline, with
slender veins; cubital obsolete at base; stigma broad and short, smoky. Honey
tubes a circular opening almost on a level with the abdomen. Expanse of wings,
67mm,
S. panicola.
Head and thorax dusky or black; abdomen pale greenish with some black mark-
ing above, on the last segment at least. Antenuz reaching to the end of the thorax,
39
hairy, third joint the longest, the following subequal; sensoria rather indistinct,
three or four to the third joint, and usually one or two to each of the following.
Beak reaching abdomen. Honey tubes as circular openings on level of surface of
abdomen, but rather conspicuous from being bordered with a ring of black. Wings
hyaline with slender but distinct veins. Fore wings with the cubital obsolete for
some distance at base ; stigma short and broad ; stigmal vein but slightly curved near
the base, straight. Expanse of wings, about 5™™.
Careful descriptions of the different forms on Cornus are given by Mr.
Clarence M. Weed (Psyche, V, p. 129), the species being referred doube-
fully to cornicola Walsh.
Winged viviparous female (pseudogyna pupifera).—Expanse of wings, 6™™; length
of body, 2™™; width of body, .80™™; length of antenne, .90™™.
Black above, except anterior and lateral margins of abdomen, and in many speci-
mens more or less of posterior portion. Beneath black, except prothorax and abdo-
men (save a black patch in front of anus), which are dull whitish-brown. Rostrum
black, except a more or less distinct lighter patch near base, hairy, reaching posterior
cox. Legs robust, black, except a short brownish space at base of anterior femora;
thickly provided with brown hairs. Antenne robust, beset with brown hairs. Joints
IT and II, short, smooth; III, long, with row of tubercles on its cuter ventro-lateral
surface ; IV and V subequal, with tubercles as on III; VI, a little longer than V, ex-
cavated on its outer lateral surface about two-thirds distance from base. Wing veins
mostly brown. Stigma brownish, with interior portion darker.
Described from many specimens taken October 24, 1887, on leaves of Cornus sanqui-
nea and C. sericea, where for some time previous they had been very numerous,
founding sexed colonies. Usually occurring on the under surface.
Apterous male.—Width of body, 0.50™™; length of body, 0.89"™; length of anten-
n:e, 0.47™™,
Body and members brownish or brownish-black, with numerous brown hairs.
Eyes black. Body flattened, long and narrow, with nearly parallel sides. Antenne
half as long as body. Joint I, short, swollen; II, small; III,longest; IV and V,
subequal; the latter excavated on its apical lateral surface. Legs long, robust,
same color as body. Rostrum robust, reaching anterior margin of posterior cox.
Described from several living specimens (part taken in copula) from Cornus sericea,
collected October 24, 1887. :
Oviparous female.—Width of body, 0.50™™; length of body, 1.14™™; length of an-
tenne, 0.35™™,
Green, or greenish-brown, slightly darker anteriorly. Shape, elongate oval; sparsely
clothed with brown hairs. Eyes blackish. Antenne green, slightly darker apically ;
joint III longest, V slightly swollen in middle. Rostrum robust, green, darker at tip,
reaching anterior margin of posterior coxie. Legs unicolorous with body, dusky
apically.
£gg.—Elongate oval, 0.56™™ long, 0.20™™ wide.
Green at first, becoming black by exposure. Deposited on bark, in and about the
axils of buds and small branches.
Described from many specimens on Cornus sericea, October 24, 1887.
These descriptions are so full that I deem it unnecessary to draw up
another. I may mention, however, that the apterous males usually
have what I should call a purplish tint with the brownish color when
alive, due, perhaps, entirely to the delicate bloom covering them.
The most distinctive character of corni is perhaps the hairy antennze
and the six or seven circular sensoria on underside of the third antennal
joint. The number of these sensoria varies slightly, but in the form I
40
reared from grass roots and allowed to colonize on Cornus leaf there are
the full number common to corni and show distinctly. Mr. Oestiund’s
statement that they are indistinct and but three or four in number
might, I think, apply to an extreme variation or to specimens fresh from
the ground. The dark spot on the dorsum of the abdomen is not only
variable in size but differs much in appearance with the age of the speci-
men and in dead or preserved specimens. While I am free to admit
some puzzling questions, I am strongly convinced of the main point here
claimed. There is certainly much more of interest to be learned re-
garding the species. I feel that only a beginning has been made, and
shall watch eagerly for further developments. As the Aphides are so
uncertain in their appearances and can not be depended upon to fur-
nish material in abundance in every locality, it will add to the certainty
of completing the history of this species if entomologists in various
localities will make such observations as possible the coming season.
If my conclusions are correct the synonomy for this species will read
as follows
(1794) Aphis corni Fabricius, Ent. Syst., IV, 214
(1860) Schizoneura venusta Passerini, Gli Afidi, p. 38.
(1862) Eriosoma? fungicola Walsh, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., I, 304.
(1862) Eriosoma? cornicola Walsh, Proc. Ent. Soc. Phila., I, 304.
(1879) Schizoneura panicola Thos., 8th Rep. Ill. Ent., p. 138.
SUMMARY.
Schizoneure abundant on grass roots and assuming winged form in
latter part of September (15-28) and on several days during this time the
air was filled with like insects, and immediately following these flights
apparently identical Aphides were colonizing on leaves of dogwood,
which had hitherto been free from them.
Schizoneura (winged pseudogyne) reared from grass roots and trans-
ferred to leaves of Cornus established colonies apparently identical with
those occurring normally on Cornus. |
Schizoneura (apterous individuals) in some number remain on grass
roots and are associated with apterous males and females, the femaies
of which are oviparous.
Individuals of these different forms agree with each other and with
descriptions of both corni and panicola and differences do not exceed
the range of variation common to species of Aphididi.
CONCLUSION.
Taking all these facts into consideration, I believe that the species of
Schizoneura infesting grass roots and dogwood leaves and described as
distinet species are identical.
That the winged generation of asexual individuals produced from
grass roots in autumn migrate to leaves of dogwood of different species
and establish colonies of apterous individuals, which become sexually
mature and the females of which deposit eggs on dogwood.
Al
That the number of broods produced on Cornus in spring (which
must now be inferred) and the time of return migration to grass are yet
to be determined.
That in addition to the migratory winged autumn brood there appears
to exist under certain conditions an apterous form which produces a
brood of sexual individuals on grass roots the females of which deposit
eggs the fate of which is unknown.
HETEROPTERA INFESTING GRASS.
THE CHINCH BuG.
(Blissus leucopterus Say.)
The Chinch Bug is too well known as a grass and grain pest to need
any special mention in this connection. It may be noted, however, that
it prefers the annual grasses rather than perennials, and were it con-
fined to the noxious Foxtails (Setaria) we might have no reason to
complain, but its fondness for Hungarian grass is too conspicuous to
pass over. It does not appear to multiply as rapidly in sod land, though
I have found it in Blue-grass where this alone could furnish it food.
THE LONG Bue.
(Ischnodemus falicus Say.)
Were it not for its elongated form this species could be most easily
mistaken for the Chinch Bug, for, excepting this peculiarity, it comes
nearer in appearance to the Chinch Bug than any of the numerous
species which have been confused with that noted pest.
Hitherto I believe it has not been classed among insects of economic
importance. It is, however, quite evidently increasing in numbers in
this region and should, I think, be mentioned, at least, in this connec-
tion. That itis a grass-feeding insect is evidenced by its abundance in
all stages in grass land where other plants are scarce or wanting, and
would be expected of an insect so closely related to the Chinch Bug. I
have found it more common in rather low ground, and especially in the
wild grasses between upland and bottom-land, or along the borders of
‘sloughs or small streams.
Whiie only a fall brood of larve, developing in July and August and
maturing in September, have as yet been observed, it is probable that,
as with the Chinch-Bug, there are two broods each year, adults of che
second hibernating and depositing eggs in the spring.
If multiplying, so as to become a serious pest, I know of no remedies
to suggest further than those applicabie to Chinch Bugs, and probably
the most efficient one would be that of burning dead grass and rubbish
in the fall.
There are several other species of the Heteropterous Hemiptera, nota-
bly certain Capsid@ such as Miris affinis and related species, and several
species of Lygus, which I suspect will be added to our list of grass pests,
bnt I have as yet made no eareful study of their habits.
REPORT OF OBSERVATIONS UPON INSECTS AFFECTING
GRAINS.
By F. M. WEBSTER, Special Agent.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
La FAYETTE, IND., Decemder 14, 1889.
Sir: I herewith transmit my annual report of observations on insects affecting
cereal grains, made under your direction, during the current year. A more elaborate
report, treating of the destructive grain insects of the United States, to be prepared
jointly with yourself, is nearing completion, and the present report is submitted now,
in order to avoid the necessity of including details in the more important work to
follow. As usual, Iam under many obligatious for the determination of specimens
and numberless other courtesies.
Respectfully submitted.
F. M. WEBSTER.
Prof. C. V. RILEY,
U. S. Entomologist.
THE WHEAT STRAW WORM.
(Isosoma tritici Riley.)
These insects have not been observed by me in any great numbers
since they were last treated in my reports, and the species is only men-
tioned in order to record the occurrence of a female of the wingless
spring form, on the 18th of July, in a field of wheat.
THE WHEAT STEM MAGGOT.
(Meromyza americana Fitch.)
Since the establishment of the fact of a summer brood originating
during the month of August, and largely, it is supposed, in volunteer
wheat, considerable emphasis has been placed upon the destruction of
this legitimate growth of grain. There has, however, been pretty
good cause for believing that the insect developed also in other plants,
and this season we have reared the adult from Blue grass, Poa pratensis,
during the latter part of August.
Since the discovery of the species there has been nothing placed on
record relative to its discrimination between varieties of wheat, or
42
~
43
whether these insects really possessed any such instinets, the inference
having been that one variety was as acceptable to them as another.
Bearing upon this point I have obtained some interesting information,
which, though by far too slender a thread on which to hang a positive
assertion, yet forms sufficient grounds for a suspicion that the species
may possess some exceedingly fine instincts regarding plant tissue.
In the month of September, 1888, a field of oat stubble on the exper-
iment farm was subdivided, two plats each several acres in extent being
sown, the-one to velvet chaff and the other to Michigan Amber wheat.
Between the two was a narrow strip comprising a mixture of both
varieties. From the beginning of preparation of the ground to the end
of harvest this year all conditions excepting seed were exactly the same.
The attacks of these larve were quite severe during June, and on the
14th of this month an examination of the plats above mentioned devel-
oped the fact that in the velvet chaff the destroyed heads outnumbered
those in the Michigan Amber in the proportion of about four to one.
Furthermore, the narrow strip of mixed grain intervening showed very
much the same feature. I confess that I am unable to detect any rea-
son for this difference in the severity of the attack other than in the
nature of the straw ; that of the velvet chaff being under ordinary con-
ditions a few days earlier in maturing, yet it is known among farmers
as possessing a softer straw than the Michigan Amber, which fact pre-
supposes the tissue of the stem immediately above the upper joint to
be to a corresponding degree more tender and juicy at the time of ovi-
position by the females.
THE WESTERN STRIPED CUTWORM.
(Agrotis herilis Grote.)
The present yeare has been conspicuous for the severity of cutworm
attacks, especially in corn-fields, the most abundant and pernicious
species thus engaged being the one under consideration. Ordinarily
we look for these dusky, semi-subterranean destroyers in fields of re-
cently broken grass lands, but this season their ravages were not to be
limited by any such proscribed bounds, and old lands suffered with the
new.
On the 28th of May I visited a field of corn a few miles out of the city
of La Fayette, which had been nearly ruined by cutworms, notwith-
standing the present was the seventh consecutive crop of corn which
had been planted on this ground. In fact, so abundant were the pests,
that from amass of dried weeds and earth, covering a couple of square
feet, and which had been left by the plows, I took 36 individuals, and
a clod a few inches away concealed 5 more; the whole number evi-
dently belonging to the same species.
The only apparent cause for this congregating in corn-tields, and in
this one in particular, is that during the ovipositing season last sum-
44
mer the grass lands in this section were withering and drying up under
a terrible drought. This corn-field had been poorly culfivated and the
lower portions grew up to grass and weeds, thereby forming a more
desirable locality for the females to lay their eggs. In other words, the
drought of August and September of 1888 drove the moths to the corn-
fields to oviposit, and the abundance of worms this year is the result.
The thirty-six cutworms collected on May 28 were taken home and
immediately placed in a breeding cage, being fed upon clover during
the few days they remained above ground. The first moth appeared
on August 23, followed by others up to the 26th, when a medium-sized
Anthrax was also observed in the cage. As nothing could be found in
the literature at hand to indicate that any of the Bombyliide had ever
been reared from lepidopterous larvee, in this country, its occurrence
was supposed to be accidental, the larva having been in some way
taken up with the earth in thecage. It was followed, however, on Sep-
tember 1 by a second adult, and two more appeared on the 4th, others
appearing up to the 9th, when all doubts as to the bost of these flies
were removed by two adults issuing from a couple of chrysalids laying
on the surface of the soil, the Anthrax leaving their empty pupa cases
protruding half way out from the chrysalids of the Agrotis. The flies
may be roughly described as from 10 to 13™™ in length, black, densely
covered with fine silky hairs, those on prescutum and episternum of
mesothorax, basal half of abdomen, and tuft on posterior margin of
penultimate segment being silvery white, changing to yellowish, espe-
cially on the shoulders.
The same species was frequently observed, near the middle of Sep-
tember, hovering about over the surface of the ground under trees
recently denuded of their foliage by the larve of Datana ministra,
thereby conveying the impression that they might be parasitic upon
that species also. *
As nothing whatever is known of the time and method of oviposition
of the Bombyliida, it will only be safe to say that the eggs were depos-
ited either on or about the bodies of these cutworms prior to the 28th of
May.
In a most excellent paper by Dr. Riley, in the Second Report U.S.
Entomological Commission, pp. 262-269, larvee of an allied species is
mentioned as infesting the egg-pods of Caloptenus spretus, being found
» of different sizes during most of the year. From rearing this species,
Systechus oreas, O. S., Dr. Riley concludes that, ‘as a rule, but one year
is required for fuli development ;” but there is great irregularity and ‘a
tendency to retardation of such development.
Should the species under consideration be of similar habits, the eggs
would, as a matter of necessity, have been deposited Jast fall, the larvee
wintering over in the bodies of these cutworms, which are not usually
over half grown at the beginning of winter. If this be true it is
certainly an interesting feature of parasitism.
“dns eer ine
45
THE ARMY WORM.
(Leucania unipuncta Haw.)
With the rapidly increasing area of low, wet lands, which are being
under-drained aud brought into cultivation, the natural haunts of this
species becomes more and more encroached upon. What the ultimate
effect of this change of natural conditions will amount to in the future, and
whether or not it will have a tendency to scatter the spring brood of
moths in their selection of places of oviposition, only future years will
answer. In accordance with the characteristic partiality of the species
for low, damp localities, the outbreaks in Indiana this year have been
restricted to the lower laying and flatter portions of the State, where a
very considerable part of the land remains undrained, except by open
ditches. While this state of affairs has been going on, the fact that dry
seasons are favorable to the increase of the species has been amply
demonstrated. The last two summers have been unusually dry, and
the spring of the present year, up to May 30, was exceedingly dry, mak-
ing three consecutive years of drought, during all of which this pest has
appeared in various portions of the State, the maximum injury being
caused the present summer. During this period, also, we have had wet
springs and dry summers and dry springs and wet summers, proving
conclusively that wet weather has little if any direct influence upon the
increase or decrease of numbers. In short, it is difficult to resist the
suspicion that this ebb and flow, so to speak, may be due more to the
fluctuation of natural enemies than to the direct influence of meteoro-
- logical conditions, severe droughts excepted.
In the vicinity of Princeton, Ind., where considerable damage was
done last year, there occurred this season only one weak, aborted out-
break, in a small field of rank growing timothy grass. A slight attack
three years ago on the borders of a large tract of swampy land in
the vicinity of La Porte, Ind., was not followed by others, either last
season or this, although this year similar and more serious outbreaks
occurred in that immediate section of the State, and within a few miles
of the same locality. Such phenomena can not be wholly attributed to
meteorological conditions, most certainly. The most efficient parasites
of the army-worm are two species of Tachine, and we have reared both
plentifully this season. The local effects of these parasites is probably
more lasting than we are given to suppose. <A circumstance came under
our observation recently where the attack of a similar species of Tachina
on the larve of Datana ministra, infesting an isolated walnut tree, was
such that the tree has been free of the caterpillars since 1885. If the ef-
fects are equally lasting in the case of the army-worm it will be difficult
to foretell their appearance in dangerous localities, even in seasons sup-
posed to be most favorable.
Again, the secret of the power of the army-worm to destroy is in their
massing together in endless numbers. Were it not for this they would
46
not be more destructive than others of the group of cut-worms to which
they belong. As stated in the beginning, the prevailing system of
underdrainage has at present a tendency to emphasize this gregarious
habit by restricting the area of wet grounds.
Whether this will continue to be the case, or whether, after a time,
the effect will be to break up the habit of massing into large swarms,
and diffuse them into smaller and less destructive colonies, remains yet
to be seen.
The heaviest damage has this season, here in Indiana, fallen upon
the rye crop, a state of affairs which has excited much comment among
farmers. The reasons for this seemingly general selection of this
crop, for depredation by the worms, are (1) on account of its hardy na-
ture, rye is often sown on these swampy or mucky lands, as it with-
stands the weather there better than any other crop; and (2) by na-
ture itis arank grower, and, therefore, a field in spring presents to the
female moth all the requirements of a suitable locality to place her
eggs, viz, where her progeny will have an abundant supply of succu-
lent food, in a damp place and shaded from the direct rays of the sun.
In all fields of rye examined which have been ravaged by the army-
‘worm, the latter were found to have originated in the fields themselves
and had not migrated to them. Cases were not uncommon, however,
where the worms originated in grass lands and from thence invaded
fields of wheat and oats. |
The prospect of controlling the outbreaks of the army-worm in the
future seems encouraging, provided the farmer is perfectly familiar
with their habits. Much of the damage done might be prevented if
decided measures were taken at the start. The trouble is that too
often the farmer wastes the most precious time in waiting to see what
the worms are going to do, and by the time he finds out they are beyond
control.
So far as I have been able to learn, where a neighborhood has turned
out en masse, and taken decisive measures to destroy the worms, little
injury has been done. These measures have consisted in ditching
around the infested area and either flooding the ditch with water, or
otherwise destroying what fell into it, and driving stock over the area
inclosed by the ditches, whereby vast numbers of worms were crushed.
From pup obtained in Fulton County the following parasites were
reared: Ichneumon brevicinctor Say, Nemorea leucanie and Drymeia
sp?. Ophion purgatus Say, also a parasite on Leucania, was this year
reared from pupa of Scoliopteryx libatrix.
THE FALL ARMY-WORM.
(Laphygma frugiperda Ab. and Sm.)
In 1885 and again 1889, we found larvee of this species feeding on the
tassels and unfolding leaves of young volunteer corn, late in Septem-
ber, in the vicinity of La Fayette, Ind. In both cases we reared adult
ee ee
Me wx
47
moths from the larve, the former appearing during late October. These
breedings would seem to indicate that at least some of the fall brood
may winter over in the adult stage.
A NEW CUT-WORM.
(Luperina (Hadena) stipata Morr.)
On May 28, while searching for Sphenophorus in a field of corn
planted on recently broken prairie sod, a depredator was found which
both in itself and method of work was new to me. Though the young
corn was at the time several inches high, many of the plants were with-
ering and dying, but aside from this neither the plant itself nor the
earth about it gave the least indication of the presence or nature of the
destroyer. Digging down in the earth about the hills, one or more of
the shoots would be found wholly or partly eaten off, either near or a
short distance above the seed, and in a single instance the seed kernel
itself was observed being eaten. The method of attack appeared to be
to first eat into the tender stem and then to burrow upward, after the
manner of Gortyna nitela, above ground, and as soon as one plant was
consumed another was attacked, without the worm coming to the sur-
face. The larve were rather slender, from half to three-fourths of an
inch long, quite active and in general coloration somewhat resembling
the larvee of Orambus zeellus, but being more robust, spinning no web
and living wholly under ground. Larve taken from the field June 8,
continued feeding in confinement until early in July, and the moths
appeared in the breeding cage about the 25th of the same month. On
account of being absent from home much of the time between the mid-
dle of June and 20th of July, it was impossible for me to get exact
dates.
My own collections of larvie were from recently broken prairie sod
only, none being found in timothy or blue-grass sod adjoining. Farmers
in the vicinity of this field state, however, that the worm does work in
timothy sod, and serious damage in a fall-plowed fisld was attributed
to their work.
Under date of June 15, Mr. J.C. Besom, of Anderson, Madison County,
Ind., wrote me that a kind of Cut-worm had appeared in his fields
which he had never observed before. They began working on clover
sod, about May 10, and destroyed the first planting of corn, and were:
at the date of writing making way with the second planting, working
underground and eating the plants from the roots upward to the sur-
face of the ground.
The larve are whitish, striped on the back with brown, head and
cervical shield yellowish. Their general form is more slender and longer
than that of ordinary cut-worms, being nearer that of Gortyna,
48
(Crambus zeellus et al.)
While natural enemies of the larve of various species of Crambus
have been recorded, those attacking the adult moths are, so far as pub-
lished record goes, rather limited in point of numbers.
One of the probable enemies of our corn destroying Crambus is a
Neuropter, a Bittacus near stigmaterus. During August Mr. W. O.
Pritz brought me an example which he had observed to attack a female
moth, chasing her about, finally worrying her down and killing her. The
remains of the moth when brought to me were too much mutilated to
determine.
Mr. J. N. Latta, of Haw Patch, Ind., tells me that the moths of
Orambus laquealellus, which I observed in abundance in his yard, were
destroyed in great numbers by the Wood Pewee, Contopus virens L.
THE WHITE GRUB.
(Lachnosterna spp. ?)
The present season has been marked by the most serious depreda-
tions of these pests that has occurred for many years. Pastures, mead-
ows, and corn-fields have suffered in some instances to the extent of 75
per cent. of the crop. Fields this season devoted to corn, but for thirty
years previous under cultivation, continuously producing some one of
the cereal grains, have been very seriously damaged, large areas of the
corn withering and dying in the hill during August and September,
from five to twenty grubs being found in and about a single hill. As
early as May 13, at the Experiment Station, they were destroying
young barley growing on a plot of ground which had produced a crop
of this grain for the six preceding years. Adjoining this plot of bar-
ley was another which had been devoted to oats during the same pe-
riod, but which was only slightly attacked. A precisely similar plot of
buckwheat, which had produced the same crop for the same period,
was found also invaded, and on July 24 the grubs were found in the
act of cutting off the plants, now several inches in height.
A number of experiments were made with various substances with a
view of determining the possibility of destroying the grubs without in-
jury to the plant infested. Corn was the plant used in these experi-
ments, being at the time the most convenient to obtain; the substances
used, however, had they been ever so effective, could hardly be applied
with practical advantage by the extensive farmer.
Experiment No, 1.—Placed a grub about the roots of a single plant on
May 14; two days later, applied a sufficient amount of air-slaked lime
to the surface of the ground to cover very lightly, watering thoroughly.
Result, May 22, plant killed but the grub uninjured.
Experiment No. 2.—Placed grub about roots of plant May 14; two days
later applied table salt in solution at rate of 235 pounds per acre,
49
Result, five days later, plant and grub alike uninjured. A second
application killed the plant but not the grub.
Experiment No. 3.—Placed grub about root of plant May 14; two days
later applied fresh unleached ashes to surface of ground in sufficient
quantity to cover lightly.
Result, five days after, plant and grub alike uninjured.
Reperiment No. 4.—Single grub placed about roots of plant May 14;
two days later applied 4 ounces gas-tar water.
Result, next day, plant killed; grub uninjured.
Hxperiment No.5.-—Single grub placed about roots of plant May 14;
twodaysafter earth about roots thoroughly saturated with tobacco water.
Result, five days after, plant and grub alike uninjured.
EHxperiment No. 6.—Single grub placed about roots of plant May 14;
two days later applied 1 drachm Diamond soluble bone* in solution.
Result, six days later, plant and grub unaffected by application ;
grub eating off the roots.
Experiment No. 7.—Grub placed about roots of plant May 14; two
days later 4 ounce carbon bisulphide poured in hole made in earth near
roots and immediately refilled with earth.
Result, second day after, plant and grub both dead.
EKxperiment No. 8.—Single grub placed about roots of plant May 14;
two days after thoroughly saturated the soil with ammonial water of
1.025 specific gravity, 2.68 per cent. ammonia reduced 75 per cent.
Result, three days after, piant killed but the grub was alive and active.
Huperiment No. 9.*—One grub placed about roots of plant May 22
and one drachm of phosphate salt applied in solution to the soil about
roots. On 23d, corn was being destroyed by the grub and the next day
the plant was wholly eaten off while his grubship appeared uninjured.
Experiment No. 10.t—Single grub placed about roots of plant and one
drachm of fertilizing salt applied in solution to soil about roots.
Result, two days later, plant withering, grub all right but had not fed
from plant. which soon died.
Experiment No. 11.—Grub placed about roots of plant May 22; soil
at once saturated with solution of powdered Pyrethrum and water ;
1 ounce of powder to gallon of water.
Result, two days later, neither plant nor grub injured.
Experiment No. 12.—Grub placed about roots of plant May 22; next
day the soil about the roots was drenched with decoction of Burdock
leaves.
* Analysis: Per cent.
Walla en OspHOr Gra Cl Cea nstsecinisce oe-inie snc ecinuaseeeelas ee -mele ee ai 13 to 15
ihisolnialeEphosphonie aelden eames ese ea nice ome ee sueiecee == eee = lto 3
ANE et eee ne a Grn ee Ne sear enic nae mnie oie anim craielay sie atafemisiesaaiapsijes Sa. LOnuOnhg
JN BRTNOIN AS GSS Sept SEL OE aE TO ee ee i eR ea ARDY oct |
-tThe phosphate salt and fertilizing salt used in experiments 9, 10, and 14, were sent
to the Indiana experiment station by the manufacturer, E. S, Fitch, Bay City, Mich.,
23479—No, 22——4
50
Result, two days later, plant untouched ; grub active, but seemingly
unaffected by application.
Experiment No. 13.—October 6, earth in field in the vicinity of wheat
plants being destroyed by white grub, thoroughly drenched with decoc-
tion of Burdock leaves. .
Result of examination on October 14: The grub was found a short
distance from the plants uninjured, it having evidently destroyed several
after application of liquid.
Experiment No. 14.—October 3, earth about wheat plants, being de-
stroyed in field by white grub, thickly covered with fertilizing salt and
drenched with water.
Result of examination October 14 exactly as in the preceding, except
that the grub was at a greater distance from plants.
Up to the present time, no Dipterous parasite has been recorded as
preying upon white grubs, as the subterranean habits of the pest con-
tributes to its protection in this respect. There is, however, pretty
good evidence that there is at least one species of fly which exists to
some extent in holding these grubs in check. On September 21, while
who advertises both as not ouly being excellent fertilizers, but also very destruc-
tive to insect life, especially chinch-lugs and cut-worms.
The following analyses were kindly made for me by Prof. Henry A. Huston, chemist
of Indiana experiment station:
I. Phosphate salt.
A. Qualitative analysis.
Bases present: Acids present:
Calcium, Hydrochloric,
Sodium, Sulphuric,
Iron, trace, Carbonic,
Aluminium, trace, Silicic, trace,
Magnesium, trace, Phosphoric, trace.
Organic matter, trace.
Principal constituents: Common salt, gypsum, carbonate of lime.
B. Per cent. phosphoric acid present, .03.
Il. Fertilizing salt.
A. Qualitative analysis.
Bases present: Acids present:
Sodium, Hydrochlorie,
Calcium, trace, Sulphuric, trace,
Organic matter, trace, Silicic, trace.
Phosphoric, slight trace.
Chief constituent: Common salt.
B. Quantitative analysis.
Per cent.
Salti(Na@l) coco ae = meinem sae olen oa mie inl ole me mlm ale nim iminielin elle 97.70
Gypsum (CaS) 222 6<.- <p mcee wee steiemiel ss = = =a! eeleeee else sls ie ae plone 44
Insoluble matter:- <=: .ccoceusceceicc secs occ caves eee Renate eee % aay
MOIsture <22 2222523. sess wee eee e meinen oles mentee stalo hie aisles ate eee eee tn 1. 09
Soluble organic matter, and loss-=-2<..--+->- ess -- oe eee en eee eee eee . 30
Total scccen sepccnecee ceo eeee et ee ee eye eee eae eee eee 100. 00
Samples drawn at experiment station from full sacks, special care being taken to
insure fair samples. Neither of these samples contain an appreciable amount of
phosphoric acid, potash, or nitrogen,
j
51
collecting material for experimentation, in a field seriously damaged by
grubs, we found a hill of corn, which, though it contained none of the
depredators, bore every evidence of having been destroyed by them,
as other hills in a similar condition about it contained from 5 to 10 in-
dividuals. Instead, however, a larva of a species of Hrav, near bastard,
was found. As the larvee of Hrax are known to be carnivorous, we can
only conclude that the one found had made way with the grubs, but
not until after the latter had destroyed the corn.
THE VARYING ANOMALA.
(Anomala varians, Fabr.).
The only record of this species, as a grain destroying insect occurs in
the report of the Commissioner of Agriculture for 1884, p. 412, where
Mr. Eugene F. Barns, of Marion, Marion County, Kans., reported the
beetle as working serious damage to wheat in the field during the month
of June, destroying 1,000 bushels for one farmer.
These beetles oceur generally over the State of Indiana, and we have
frequently met them hovering on heads of wheat in the field, but never
remarked any serious injury. In this State the adult insects are preyed
upon by one of the Asilidew, Laphria tergissa Say, and we have several
times caught these flies on wing with one of the beetles in their clutches,
their beak puncturing the body of their victim.
THE WHEAT WIRE-WORM.
(Agriotes mancus, Say.)
A number of experiments were made with a view of learning the
effect of the applications of salt, as against the larvee of this species.
The method employed was to place a number of kernels of corn in
earthen pots, and transport larve from the fields, where they were en-
gaged in destroying wheat, placing them among the corn in these pots,
the salt being applied in different quantities to the surface of the ground. |
Experiment No. 1.—April 26, six kernels of corn, and two wire-worms
nearly full grown, were placed together in a pot filled with earth, the
latter being saturated with water from beneath. Common barrel salt
was then applied to the surface of the soil, at the rate of 940 pounds
to the acre. May 1, watered from above.
Result, the pot was examined May 7, and both worms found unaf-
fected, they having in the meantime eaten nearly all of the corn, the
uninjured kernels failing to germinate.
Experiment No. 2.—This was made at the same time as No. 1, all con.
ditions being the same, except that salt was applied at the rate of 470
pounds per acre.
Result the same as in experiment No. 1.
Experiment No. 3.—May 7, placed three of the larvie used in the pre-
ceding experiments and one fresh from the field, with corn in pot of
earth, saturating the latter from below, and covering surface with salt
in the proportion of 24,500 pounds per acre,
52
Ntesult five days later; the worms were alive and as active as they
ever were. Corn slightly eaten, but none showing any indication of
growing, while kernels from same ear planted in unsalted soil were
sprouted. The corn used in all experiments was from the same ear.
Drasterius elegans Fab.
The larva of this species has been mentioned in my previous reports
as destroying other insects, and themselves injuring young corn. In
the present instance they were found exceedingly abundant, on Novem-
ber 15, near New Castle, Ind., where they were evidently working seri,
ous injury to a field of young wheat, sown in growing corn about Sep-
tember 5. This field had produced three consecutive crops of wheat-
then the present crop of corn, among which the young wheat was grow-
ing. It was true the wheat was seriously infested by Hessian fly, and
therefore the question may arise as to whether the worms were not de-
stroying these; but the damage to the field was by far too great to
have been done by the fly alone, and many of the plants had been eaten
off below the ground.
With this new revelation regarding their food habits, it seems prob-
able that a part of the wire-worm injuries to wheat sown among corn
may be due to this species, instead of the preceding.
THE TWELVE-SPOTTED DIABROTICA.
(Diabrotica 12-punctata.)
The adults of this species have been observed in greater abundance
than ever before. Gardens and fields have been literally overrun with
them. The sexes were observed pairing as early as the 17th of April,
thereby promising larvee sufficiently early to attack young corn, even
though pianted at the usual time. The list of food plants has this sea-
son been observed to include the following, not previously reported :
Wheat, cabbage, cauliflower, and beans; an adult was also observed
feeding on volunteer oats Deceinber 14.
THE SWAMP SPHENOPHORUS.
(Sphenophorus ochreus Lec. )
Few insects afford a better illustration of the fact that a comparatively
harmless species may, by force of circumstances, suddenly become ex-
tremely injurious. Known to the entomologist since 1858, and by no
means a rare insect, its habits unstudied because of its secluded haunts
and valueless food plant, the species appears to have been overtaken by
this progressive decade in agriculture.
The swamp composing the field which formed the basis of the study
of this insect was brokén up some thirty years ago and two crops of
corn raised on it without damage from insect attack, after which, by
reason of being too wet, it was allowed to revert back to its original
state. Fifteen years ago a second attempt was made to bring it into
cultivation, and a single crop of corn raised from a portion of it, this
time the insects being noticed, but doing no material injury. The land
5)
53
was again allowed to go back to its primitive state, and remained thus
until last season, when, after being drained, a portion was broken and the
remainder brought into cultivation the spring of the present year, with
the results here given.
Other fields of swamp jand, in the same neighborhood, have suffered
in the same manner as this one, but there is at present no information
of serious damage until within the last three or four years.
The first published notice of the destructive habits of these insects is
found in a brief notice which appeared in several agricultural papers
during July, 1888, to the effect that Professor
Forbes had found them to be very destructive
to corn planted on recently drained swamp
lands in Illinois, the adult feeding upon a spe-
cies of rush (Scirpus) and a common reed (Phrag-
mites), and when these were destroyed they
transferred their attention to the young corn.
On May 23, adult beetles were
sent me by Mr. Quincey farl, a far-
mer residing near Dayton, Ind., a
small village about 8 miles from
La Fayette, with the statement
that they were destroying his corn.
The beetles were at once con-
fined with corn plants growing in
flower pots, the males proceeding
to bury their snouts into the ten- Fic. 1.—Sphenophorus oehreus: a. larva; b, adult—
der stems, near the surface of the sie pa wee
soil; but the females, to my utter astonishment, burrowed down into
the earth, out of sight, and staid there.
Stormy weather prevented my visiting the locality until June 2. The
infested field comprised about 75 acres of recently drained swamp land,
plowed the present spring, except a small portion which had been de-
voted to corn the previous year, and the first avd second planting de-
stroyed by the beetles. On that portion of the field plowed this spring
the young corn was not yet up, but on that portion which had been cul-
tivated last year and planted earlier this year than the newer-plowed
portion, the young plants had been totally destroyed, the lack of their
natural food having evidently driven the insects to this part of the field,
as other fields in the vicinity had not suffered the second year after the
ground was first broken, although the first crop had been destroyed.
At the time of my visit the beetles were feeding on a species of rush,
Scirpus atrovirens, Muhl., puncturing the stems just below the surface
of the ground and eating out the tender, folded leaves. The sexes were
pairing, but I could get no eggs. A large number of adults of both
sexes were taken home, as also were specimens of the Scirpus, including
the roots, which are bulbous and exceedingly hard and compact. These
plants were placed in flower-pots, and on each was placed a single pair
54
of adults. The next day the males were engaged either in pairing or
feeding upon the Scirpus, but the females, when not paired with the
males, had burrowed down into the earth, out of sight.
On a second visit to the infested field, June 11, but few females were
to be found above ground. The young corn was coming up well, but
being rapidly destroyed by the males and a few females, except where
Scirpus was growing in sufficient abundance to provide an ample sup-
ply of food.
Absence from home, from the middle of June until the middle of July,
not only interrupted my observations, but a press of other work pre-
vented my visiting the field again until August 21, both plants and
beetles in pots having in the mean time died.
As aresult of this last visit I found two adults, one of which was feed-
ing on a small dwarfed stalk of corn and the other on Scirpus atrovirens.
An examination of the root of this reed re-
vealed full-grown larve (Fig. 1, a) and fully
developed adults still within the bulbs. Other
bulbous roots of the same plant gave evi-
dence that the adult had only recently quitted
its birthplace. Hurrying home, my plants in
the flower pots, long ago dead, dried up and,
as I thought, worthless, were examined and
in nearly every one was found a fully devel-
oped adult, none of which had escaped from
the bulbous roots wherein they had devel-
oped. (Fig. 2.)
Still another visit to this field on August
30 confirmed all previous observations, and
a Single pupa was also found in a bulb of the
Scirpus.
From what is known of the habits of other
species of this- genus, coupled with the fact
Fic. 2.—Work of Sphenophorus that fields of. corn are not attacked by the
ochreus in roots of Scirpus—nat- heetles after the first year following the
er breaking of the ground, it seems highly im-
probable that there should be more than one annual brood. This being
the case, its life history will likely be as follows: The insect hibernates
in the adult stage, coming forth from its hiding places in spring, the
females depositing their eggs during May and June in the roots of
Scirpus. The larve hatching from these develop to adults and emerge
in about three months.
From the vast differences existing between the plant in which the
species breeds and that of the corn plant, the great improbability of
the insect ever breeding in corn wiil at once be seen. The whole prob-
lem of prevention seems to settle in the destruction of these reeds,
root and stem, the season prior to devoting the ground to corn. The
eggs are as a rule deposited in bulbs formed the preceding year, and
ee.
55
we have found healthy adults in bulbs after the latter had been thrown
out by the plow and lain in the sun for over a month. We have also
found them developing in bulbs in ground plowed in May and again
in July, indicating that little or nothing can be accomplished by sum
mer fallow.
The most practical and probably the most effective method of destroy-
ing the food plant of the pest is to sow rye or some other crop on the
land the first season after breaking.
THE CHINCH BUG.
; (Blissus leucopterus Say.)
The history and distribution of the Chinch Bug in Indiana offers
some problems not only very perplexing but exceedingly difficult to
solve. In fact, we shall here make no attempt toward a solution, but
rather to separate a few of the many complex elements which are
thought to influence the distribution and numbers of the pest, and to
some extent at least indicate how far they may be considered or per-
haps eliminated entirely from any independent relation to the subject,
thereby affording aid to the future investigator.
It is well known that although Thomas Say, at the time he described
the species, was residing at New Harmony, Indiana, nevertheless his
description was drawn from a single specimen taken by himself on the
Eastern Shore of Virginia, and so far as we know he may have died
ignorant of its occurrence in his own or any of the adjoining States.
Recently, Professor Forbes has collected some data showing that the
species was destructively abundant in Edwards County, Illinois, as
early as 1828, and was also observed in Richland County in 1823.
Strictly in accordance with the above, while that portion of Illinois
lying adjacent to Indiana, separated only by the Wabash River, has
suffered agaiu and again through the ravages of the Chinch Bug, crops
on the Indiana side have not often suffered from any extensive or wide-
spread ravages of the pest. Not only this, but at the present time the
worst infested portion of Indiana is composed of those counties whose
western border is the Wabash River, which separates them from Illi-
nois, and from whence the insect occurs in continually diminishing
numbers northward and eastward until we reach the northern coun-
ties of La Porte, St. Joseph, Elkhart, La Grange and Steuben, where its
depredations are almost entirely unknown.* Indeed, during the years
when they are the most numerous elsewhere, I have found them in these
counties only with difficulty, and few of the farmers know what the
insect is like. In almost exactly the same latitude in De Kalb County,
Illinois, within 60 miles of Lake Michigan, they have been a serious
pest since 1855.
* The only exception known to me was in Elkhart County, where they were re-
ported to Mr. J. R. Dodge, Statistician of the Department of Agriculture in 1857,
(See Bull. 17, U. 8S. Dept. Agri., Div. Ent., p 9.) Mr. Dodge has very kindly looked
up this matter, and writes me that these bugs were oaly reported from one locality in
very limited numbers and did no appreciable damage.—F.. M. W.
56
A line drawn from the northwestern corner of Indiana ‘diagonally
across the State to the Ohio line, at the southeast corner of Jay County,
will divide from the remainder of the State nearly all of twenty-four
counties over which the Chinch Bug is either unknown or occurs in too
limited numbers to cause serious damage. These are the counties enu-
merated in Tables A and B. As the numbers of counties from which I
have information of serious and wide-spread damage does not amount
to twenty-four, I have added others, in which we have observed con-
siderable numbers of Chinch Bugs, and filled out the number with coun-
_ ties situated in the infested district. These are enumerated in Tables
Cand D.
TABLE A.—Acreage of various grains produced in 1887 throughout the area over which
Chinch Bugs do not occur in destructive numbers.
i Excess
Total t ll
Counties. W heat. Oats. Rye. Barley. small Corn. pore
grain. grain over
| corn.
|
PANTING ion se Sheewe acces rca =. 26, 986 9, 142 255 | 35 36, 368 30,257 | + 6,111
JAE ty Sees eee 5 55H Soe eee 48, 362 25, 687 2, 065 101 76, 215 42,004 | +34, 211
BiG OLd ke cseaeecesesces ane 12, 543 2, 544 196 41 15, 324 16,000 | — 676
Deval ee se * cece tcc es 30, 097 13, 390 211 157 43, 855 22,1385 | +21, 720
MOUKUANee sence cease ceoensti 44, 896 15, 207 |~ 705 90 60, 898 35,145 | -+25, 753
WOON saecieis ec aice este eetc xe 29, 903 5, 684 390 35 36, 012 29, 827 +10, 185
Mant secce tet cae tccerek cece 42, 077 5, 455 347 147 48, 026 49,225 | — 1,199
Pn tinOTON) 6612.4 accocies 34, 888 10, 693 800 195 46, 576 38,145 | + 8 431
iy) we ecwsec sso aiucec cisecckoe: 29, 588 8, 766 275 145 38, 774 39,656 | — 882
GSCIUSKO) 2 .a5.cice rine since sis 42, 268 13, 274 240 162 55, 944 40,065 | +15, 879
Weal Tan PO ncan ce sc oesic sss c%)= 36, 903 9, 818 873 37 47, 631 28,292 | +19, 339
MDG ere Uwe ee ciejeiaiecte Som icisiais = 2, 808 26, 690 1, 284 275 31, 057 30,637 | 4 420
POPE OTBse cae co tea caae Cece =: 43, 904 15, 054 802 335 60, 095 39,690 | +20, 405
Wiirstialll’ Ss: ose. sone c-cacceee 35, 062 10, 145 1, 244 186 47, 637 33, 238 | +14, 399
IG ian ean Soa ene eae E Eee 44, 212 7, 919 139 168 52, 438 42, 301 +10, 137
INGDlObseSess soe nam Seaceeme hans; 38, 797 12, 345 120 44 51, 306 29,462 | +21, 854
IPOLUCE taste hs accenseretorce 15, 312 16, 365 1, 026 236 32, 939 21,042 | +11, 897
Palaakieceeatc josceneamessees 19, 267 7, 828 1, 570 394 29, 059 23,686 | + 5,373
Plan Keb aciewscs acco sacks sccatic 3, 591 2.916 1, 657 298 8, 462 7,911 | + 551
PON DOWa on: eer eccee wes ccese 27, 414 9, 253 219 310 37, 196 22,200 | +14, 996
SIPROSOD Meuse ance hows onee ce 41, 525 11, 482 440 30 53, 477 30,698 | +22, 779
WWiabaslive joc cheerios oe. s. oe 41, 109 8, 391 115 149 49, 764 45,638 | + 4,126
Wie Sheen, cote tame aeece 32, 301 6, 196 572 54 39, 123 39322) | aoe
VIAN DRE tema eae an Sn mine Sim 25, 633 9, 727 95 45 35, 500 24,753 | +10, 747
TABLE B.—Acreage of various grains produced in 1888 throughout the area over which
Chinch Bugs do not occur in destructive numbers.
ANTE Sit eo SS GES a epee cosas GEee 23, 130 16, 818 | 249 51 40, 248 31,417 +8, 831
Alen: *-- =< stb Sopoosbee cescee 50, 469 27, 228 | 1, 895 172 78, 764 43, 775 +34, 989
IRC KLOVE) coc cleetsicwiccse.-- = 11, 057 3, 280 253 140 14, 730 16, 633 —1, 903
LOG eee Se eee 2 eee 28, 145 14, 249 138 169 42, 701 25,474 | +17, 227
PSD OEG encanto eis sate Sats c's weenie 43, 818 14, 783 1, 0138 78 59, 692 36, 663 +23, 029
UA GONes se ois soe Selene =i 33, 976 6, 306 267 12 40, 561 29,795 | +10, 766
(ACO Se eine eer ec Sa 38, 808 5, 593 316 201 44, 918 48, 581 —3, 663
Bent Oton. >.<. 2S. 5 -.2-- - = 32, 639 10, 990 218 186 44, 033 40, 218 +3, 815
JDM) Sas Ge otede dae Sse SS CaSO 25, 433 9, 666 311 160 35, 570 40, 750 —5, 180
FRORCIUB ROO? ot S06 ia tcee 5.5 39, 878 14, 201 334 135 54, 548 41, 025 +18, 523
WIPO AN On a's Saise seins na se'= 33, 540 10, 285 750 55 44, 630 30, 252 +14, 378
Lop h(t SSeS ae See Sa Sear 3, 874 21, 026 1, 330 221 26, 461 29, 510 —3, 049
AOU UO aise ale oie = estan nae 40, 642 18, 033 772 787 60, 284 41, 345 +18, 889
Maran allceenec scene: cuacse a 33, 187 11, 095 1, 449 ral 46, 012 37, 134 -++8, 878
iE eae OES a ace 44, 250 8, 160 126 188 52, 724 42, 743 +9, 981
ie (a 0) jhe ee ol eee See ee 37, 983 14, 336 217 44 52, 580 29, 915 +22, 665
WOE Gal neg ona miter aenine oe 16, 648 17, 428 1, 593 213 35, 882 27, 863 +8, 019
LEGG a el a ie een era 17, 007 3, 407 1, 638 282 29, 339 26, 232 -++3, 097
SLATKG ee ios Sens ae seas oeee 5, 96E 3, 476 1, 696 237 9, 374 8, 683 +741
DUGUUEN Sccet au vasa beioantescels 25, 944 10, 288 310 317 36, 859 21, 373 -++15, 486
NU OSEDh tasbieca sce ee eee 37, 602 12,170 642 | 714 51, 128 29, 343 -+-21, 785
WADA See e eee. cette beads 40, 202 9, 892 183 | 73 50, 350 44, 080 +6, 270
WEIS Sate oe cocks fen shea 28, 427 8, 352 611 | 147 37, 547 38, 009 —462
Wy bitlesetace: Soho. wee 21, 789 10, 647 65 39 32, 540 23, 503 +9, 037
57
TABLE C.—Acreage of various grains produced in 1887 throughout the area over which
Chinch Bugs occur sometimes in destructive nnmbers.
Oth Excess
: aan f small
Counties. Wheat. Oats. Rye. Barley. small Corn. |° Ba
grain. Sra
5 over corn.
ENTONS sere <5 = sce - oe sence 1, 592 35, 529 390 125 38, 036 71,714 | —33, 678
Glare oo... eR eee A ee 2°, 610 9, 963 160 211 | 32,944 | 26,447] +6,497
RPA eo 2 ainleSgicis-e ences 7, 513 9, 389 Doi] were meee 16, 927 15, 491 +1, 436
WDSINHESS = sacs ss os- se weeses 40, 186 10, 575 340 42 51, 148 39, 472 +11, 671
INOS Sosa 3 cone cisiaticnee 24, 527 10, 950 20 87 35, 584 22, 042 +13, 542
OTS) Te 72, 513 5, 740 386 31 | 78, 670 45, 108 +33, 562
CHASER: So ae Se ere es 24, 943 11, 930 239 178 37, 290 34, 141 +3, 149
MAMBO ec sc eS tecccs sec ek. 27,584 | 14,733 297 45 | 42.659] 42,633 +26.
TESTOR Se Aa eee 48, 483 6, 426 207 68 | 55,184] 47,3381 | +7853
aNyMenGe) -po-----=.25~------= 11, 423 14, 395 136 5L 26, 005 25, 228 +777
PNG HR GM eo esa ie1ela sss - = 15, 740 7, 766 136 191 23, 833 21, 493 +2, 440
ULL: 2 ate eee 9, 505 9, 399 35 40 | 18,979 | 16,462 2, 517
OGTR Beano oepegeaaoroaesoae 12, 322 17, 708 84 96 30, 210 26, 836 +-3, 374
Oven ear coe Sais ninc cons IyaebSaE 14, 343 9, 705 9L 20 24, 159 16, 910 +7, 249
Lin soeoeogs aa0ce= 33, 828 9, 426 297 66 | 43,617 39, 751 +3, 866
TERE Gs ca a a 35, 698 9, 080 83 107 | 44,968 | 30,095 | +414, 873
WIOSOW etn Salctoes/sink.cese oe 60, 902 6, 600 120 47 | 67,669 | 38,979 +28, 690
LET eee SS EEE Cee Cee eens 33, 544 7, 618 117 96 41, 370 37, 006 +4, 364
See SS ee reeset lumens Gir. 10, 059 826 55 44, 564 44,109 |! +455
PIP PECANOE ~~ -<<a---5-0'-=~ =<. 49, 339 14, 657 544 | 120 64, 660 79, 497 —14, 837
DOP MIOM 2 oon a cco ccnececn ae 30, 274 6, T24 352 98 37, 448 39,549 | +1, 899
pe 9 oe cl aclarae sein 35,738 | 13, 096 694 217 | 49,745 | 50,082] —337
Wiarrick* 32-5. 55 ee netics Sele 30, 088 9, 609 | 62 40 | 39, 799 33,171 | +6, 628
AU SSS) ed (0) eee 17, 245 19, 028 | 17 68 36, 418 30, 206 +6, 212
TaBLi D.—Acreage of various grains produced in 1888 throughout the area over which
Chinch Bugs occur sometimes in destructive numbers.
ROMO RMesae snes c,< aaieinle cia 2, 470 36, 801 372 81 39, 724 84,751 | —45, 027
Clay* : 22,136 10, 720 178 150 32, 184 28, 100 +15, 084
Crawford*.... 9, 527 7, 216 i 10 16, 766 14, 502 +2, 264
Mawes loss ic. c sence ...-| 89,049] 11, 194 280 75 | 50,598| 39,259] +11, 339
DOIN OISSe De =e ss agelee ees oe 26, 414 10, 168 48 128 36, 758 22, 799 +13, 959
GRUNSONN A See, 2 Stee cep ss 68, 640 5, 606 466 116 74, 828 48,280 | +26, 548
(Sia) Saleh. 53 Seeeeerrccs Se: 30, 962 12, 627 253 | 84 43, 926 35, 745 +8, 181
DRO RS OM ens «Sela ce aatiacks coe 27, 425 14, 185 254 34 41,848 43, 007 —1, 159
Bena Rene Hee. eos oases 47, 798 6, 869 222 163 55, 058 54, 00) +1, 051
pang eNC Olesen Sac = a2 calc owe 10, 559 14, 392 208 79 25, 238 31, 666 —6, 328
Mar hintesoeedcosenns.ccws<e- ssc 14, 450 8, 797 124 126 23, 497 20, 928 +2, 569
Mino Osea cliccienoacsccee cs 10, 147 8, 500 64 22 18, 733 46, 241 +2, 492
Sev t Go ee eas 13,446 | 15, 246 94 78| 28,864) 25,406] +43, 458
ORT PRESS ee Spe Ce ne ee meee 13, 329 10, 402 82 43 23, 856 17, 422 +6, 434
nile. 5 aa i ee 33, 523 9, 718 256 57 43, 554 44, 771 family)
LOISG OMe Ao cee anne eee ere 30, 9384 10, 154 54 106 41, 248 32, 062 +9, 186
GSO Se onsets seaweeds 59, 006 7, 465 108 39 66, 618 46, 711 +19, 907
IPYEtIMMc oe ne acces co csaesicc 32, 139 8, 194 131 74 40, 538 39, 358 +1, 180
Seine sunere ase Sooo socnes 29, 377 11, 279 798 68 41, 522 45, 808 —4, 286
PIP DECANE) 22. chs =2s aces. cee 53, 000 15, 313 570 129 69, 012 82, 611 —13, 599
MMencimllions- 32. sssia aime sees teas 29, 985 7, T10 439 |. 76 38, 210 35, 444 +-2, 766
iy {hee a beeen eee 36, 157 14, 327 557 203 51, 244 52, 084 —840
GHC) hae Se ae Neer Soe 30, 562 10, 191 144 57 40, 954 34, 589 +6, 365
Wrashington?.<-. 22-22. 55>... 18, 465 19, 922 39 | 46 | 38, 472 34, 911 +3, 561
| 1 t
* Counties marked with asterisk (*) are those in which Chinch Bugs have been reported in destruct-
ive numbers.
- i | *
Much has been said of late of the influence which the cultivation of
wheat and other grains has on the numbers and distribution of the
Chinch Bug. Tables A, B, C, and D, here given show the acreage of
‘each of the cereal grains in forty-eight counties for the years 1887 and
1888. It will be observed that among the uninfested counties there are
but four which had a greater area of small grain than of corn in 1887
and in 1888. In 1887, in eleven of these same counties, the area of
wheat exceeded that of corn, in six of which counties the Chinch Bug
58
is unheard of. Practically the same state of affairs existed in 1888,
both as to crop and bugs. In the twelve counties more or less infested
with bugs in 1887, four had a larger area of corn than of small grain,
and all but seven showed a greater area of corn than wheat. In 1888
only three had a greater area devoted to wheat than corn, and six hada
greater area of corn than of small grains. It will be observed that Sul-
livan County, which probably suffers from Chinch Bug injury as bad as
any portion of the State, is one of these. It appears therefore that the
nature of the crop has of itself nothing to do with the distribution of
the Chinch Bug in Indiana.
TABLE E.—Total amount, in inches and tenths, of precipitation and mean temperature, in
degrees and tenths, at Princeton, Gibson County, Ind., latitude 38° 23' N., during the
months of April, May, and June, for the years 1835, 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1889.
April. May. , June.
Year. _ i ie
Precipi- | Tempera- Precipi- Te™pera-| Precipi- | Tempera-
tation. ture. | tation. | ture. | tation. ture.
: Pe a ee ee
Bete ane reine foes eLok Sos Sch seneead 3. 70 | SEO lien 2e80sl-< 26105 5.90 71.9
OG reete ee came see cate sees wecme aoese 3. 50 | 55. 3 | 2.10 66. L 4, 90 71.3
ISBT oe tear sasrae tsa ace ce hiss cone Moa, 2.30 | 53.2 6.10 68. 0 -10 74.3
DBS areas Ree ie ta omen ie Soe sicrasace noah 1. 50 50.3 1. 95 63.5 2.50 76.7
AES oes seme cece tele clsiisteereses cee eee - 80 | 55.2 4. 40 64.4 3. 60 70.7
|
TABLE F.—Total amount, in inches and tenths, of precipitation and mean temperature, in
degrees and tenths, at Angola, Steuben County, Ind., latitude 41° 37' N., during the
months of April, May, and June, for the years 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1889.
LO Reet: eee eer mee hovh. AES bed 4.35 45.6 | 6.95 56. 4,32 66.9
REG: -2S8 Sod see ee eae ea ata 2.77 52.5 | 3.49 63.5 4.16 67.2
(ih Sa Gober ee ae San Ma Aaa he “asap 45.2 | 195| 70.8 5.24 71.2
Thy gee es So Ss 6 ee ee eee 1. 64 46.5 | 37. | 61.9 5. 16 70. 6
elt) SE Se Qoacn sp ecedocm SEES He eee oeednne 1,19 49, 2 | 5. 25 61.4 3. 50 68.5
TABLE G.—Total amount, in inches and tenths, of precipitation and mean temperature, in -
degrees and tenths, at Sandwich, De Kaib County, Ill., latitude 41° 31’ N., during the
months of April, May, and June of the years 1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, and 1889.
|
ICI Sets Coe eee See ee ete ree 2. 46 46.71 1.30 58. 65 2.94 | 68. 95
USE Shs 58 ieee ce nt cea ea 1.35 56. 40 3. 06 64.70 | 1. 28 | 68. 82
ORE eee ca eto She tes it eee 57 53.12 1. 87 68. 55 | 17%) 75. 07
THC ee ar ye eo ae he 1.70 49. 84 5. 14 58. 72 | 2.76 | 72.48
TH} 30) 2) Get ee a a ae 3,115 52. 03 3.08 61.71 | 5. 40 | 68. 62
Neither can this unequal distribution be attributed to the interspersion
of timber Jands among the cultivated fields, as the northern and south-
ern portions are about equally wooded, and, besides, the treeless
prairies of the State are not particularly subject to invasions of Chinch-
bugs. Low temperature can hardly be held responsible for the phe-
nomenon, as the ravages in more northern localities like Nebraska,
northern Iowa, and in Minnesota will attest. Coming northward from
the Ohio River, during the season of drought which has occurred each
year since 1886, one can not help but admit that the effects of dry
ee
eT
59
weather are greatest in the southern portion of the State. But the dif-
ference between this weather condition is certainly not so marked be-
tween Tippecanoe and Benton Counties on the one hand, and La Porte
and Lagrange Counties on the other, as to result in a difference in the
number of bugs amounting to that between a great abundance and
almost none at all. In Tables E, F, and G are given the mean tempera-
ture and rain-fall for the months during which these elements most
affect the Chinch Bug, and extending over a period of five years.* Thisis
as far back as the Indiana records extend. The records from Princeton,
Ind., indicate the meterological conditions during this period in the bug
infested area, and those from Angola are a like record of the weather
conditions in the region exempt from Chinch Bug attack, while Table G
gives the meterological conditions in De Kalb County, northern Illinois,
where Chinch Bugs have been abundantsince 1855, formerly doing serious
damage to spring wheat, and have, since about 1862 (wheat of any sort
being no longer grown to any extent), been transferring their attention
to the corn crop, but being at present less abundant than in south-
eastern Indiana or southern Illinois.
From a study of the tables given it will be seen that while the
northern Illinois locality had a less rain-fall during the spring and early
summer than the northern portion of Indiana, it also had a less amount
than had southern Indiana; yet, while Chinch Bugs are more numerous
in the Ulinois section than in northern Indiana, they are not so abund-
ant as in southern Indiana.
Geologically, the northern portion of Indiana differs from the south-
eastern portion, the former being Devonian and the latter carbonifer-
ous or subcarboniferous. This, however, could have little effect on the
Chinch Bug, except, possibly, so far as it influenced the natural flora,
especially the grasses. Prof. James Troop, who has made the grasses
of Indiana a study, informs me that the following are all, or nearly all,
the species found in the southern portion of the State which do not
occur in the northern portion: Uniola latifolia, Arundinaria tecta, Pas-
palum fluitans, P. eve, Panicum prolificum, P. anceps, P. vicidum, Andro-
pogon divisitiflorus.
From the foregoing it will be seen that to no one of these elements
alone, as existing between southwestern Indiana and Illinois on the
one hand, and northeastern Indiana, southern Michigan, and northern
Ohio on the other, can this immunity from Chinch Bugs in these last
localities be traced. Whether the combination of two of these elements,
such as dry weather and wheat-growing, is to be held wholly responsi-
ble, or whether there is still another potent element, as yet unknown
to us, which, either in itself or combined with some other, is the prime
cause of the present state of affairs, only future studies can demonstrate.
* Kindly supplied me by N. E, Ballou, M. D., Ph. D., Sandwich, I1., for thirty years
volunteer signal observer at that place.—I’. M. W.
60
That dry weather during spring and early summer is almost invaria-
bly associated with an increase, and wet weather during the same
period with a decrease of Chinch Bugs is usually true, but why this is
so has never been definitely explained.
The fungoid disease known as Lntomophthora has, since it was studied
by Dr. Shimer, been known to be much more fatal in wet than in dry
weather. How far this would prove true,-and to what extent the
farmer could rely upon this fungus to keep the Chinch Bug in check,
gave the incentive for carrying out the following experiments.
Karly in July, 1888, a large number of Chinch Bugs, principally pupee
nearing the last molt, were placed in a close glass vessel and kept in a
very damp atmosphere and under high temperature. Although kept
for two weeks under these conditions we failed to produce the Entomoph-
thora among them. This was accepted as evidence that the fungus did
not exist in any stage of deveiopment here at La Fayette, Ind., although
it was reported from an adjoining State.
On July 20, of the present year, we received some dead chinch bugs
from Prof. F. H. Snow, of Lawrence, Kans., which were said to be af-
fected by Entomophthora. These diseased bugs were placed under glass
with living ones from the fields, the latter being provided with food and
kept thus confined for fifty-three hours, when the major portion of them
were placed on several hills of corn, seriously infested by bugs, the
remainder with the dried remains received from Professor Snow being
scattered about over a small area of young wheat sown for experiment,
and also swarming with young Chinch Bugs. The hills of corn on which
the bugs had been placed were isolated from others, equally badly in-
fested, by narrow frames of boards placed on the ground, and the upper
edges covered with tar. This last precaution was taken in order to pre-
vent communication with other hills, intended as checks on those used
directly inthe experiment. The area of young wheat over which infested
bugs had been placed was not inelosed, but its limits carefully marked.
Vive days after, July 27, a single bug was found on one of the isolated
hills of corn which had very evidently died from the effects of Entomoph-
thora, and by the 30th enough others were found to show that the fungus
had fully established itself, and the barriers about the isolated hills were
removed. On August 2, dead bugs covered with Hntomophthora were
found in considerable numbers about hills of corn, 25 feet from where the
original colonies had been placed, and also throughout and even 55 feet
beyond the area of young wheat over which dead and affected bugs
had been distributed. Daily observations were now made, but the pro-
gress of the disease seemed to come to a stand-still. From the 5th of
August up to the 9th it was almost impossible to get sufficient material,
outside, to enable me to carry on laboratory experiments. August 13,
the spread of Hntomophthora appeared to have taken on new life, and dis-
eased bugs were becoming much more numerous. August 15, found
diseased bugs 172 feet from any place where they had been previously
observed. August 20, diseased bugs were very abundant over all of.
61
the area where disease had been distributed, and two days later exam-
ples were found a quarter of a mile from the starting point of the dis-
ease. Immediately after this, however, another halt, both in the in-
tensity of attack and rapidity with which it spread, due either to the dry
weather, or to the fact that the bugs had now all reached the adult
stage, and had become diffused over the country, no longer congregat-
ing together. From either one or the other, or both of these causes, I
lost track of the Entomophthora and was not able to again find it in the
fields. It seems proper to state here that Chinch Bugs were not at any
time excessively abundant. The greatest numbers were in the exact
localities where the disease was first distributed, the congregating at
these places being brought about by the close proximity toa large num-
ber of small experimental plats of wheat, and when this was harvested
the*bugs. collected en masse on the corn and young wheat. In connec-
tion with these facts, it is also interesting to note that from July 15 to
August 51 there were ten days on which rain fell. The dates of these
rains and the amount of pees is oven below:
| Precipi- | ‘ | Precipi-
Date. Teoria Date. tation.
Inches. | Inches.
Jie Uf steecboespeededcccanecenusbqapeac ol) | OIIN) BY) ere coroncsapnatnacednnoneosocebe .78
= chose SS ooes BEaas Sone cossesoe0> 1, 25 sQbeciSsa St 6onessaosaqreccssoescs 50
UN SoSS oe OAS REE CSCO DSO bSEOoeacSooS BA eel Oe Ol versie wie tec epeteerersiat eee reece 3.36
DORE ae pr eteem asics Selanne ers - 04 | 1B Back Sabopaadone erate opopnesneser 15
7D. ooosocnocisuobeose) sasegsensceses 12 IEWISEE cdiGoobaccosscadacr Baokeoade 02
With a view of learning whether o or ‘not there v was any difference as
regards susceptibility to the attack of Hntomophthora, between bugs in
different stages of development, a series of experiments was begun, as
follows:
Young plants of Setaria glauca were transplanted to a box, and upon
each plant was placed a dead bug covered with the fungus, and also
healthy larve ; larvee just on the point of pupation; pup just prior to
reaching the adult stage; and fully developed adults, each stage being
placed on separate plants and each covered with a small inverted glass
vial numbered by lettering. As checks, another series was prepared
like the first in every particular. The soil in the box was kept weli
moistened, and the plants remained fresh. This experiment was made
on August 2, about the time when the attack outside began to diminish
in intensity. The following are the results of examinations on the
dates indicated, the original experiments being numbered by capitals,
and the checks by small letters, thus—A-—a, adult; B—b, young larvee ;
C-c, older larvee; D-d, pupe.
Date. | A. | a. | Bo] ob Co alleexe Dn Weng ad
— i | aes eee
|
Aug. 5 | ealthy | : Hewlthy | Healthy .- re Healthy -| 1 dead ...| Healthy -| 1 dead ...| 1 dead.
Aug. 6 | 1 dead . 1 dead . --| Healthy | Healthy -| 1 dead ...| Healthy .| 3 dead ...| 1 dead.
Aug. 7 | Alldead ..| 3dead .. | 3dead-..| 1 dead ...| 3 dead . Wdeatees|- soo a----|)| odeade
Aug. 16 | All dead ..| All dead - | All dead. | Alldead | Alldead | Alldead | All dead | All dead.
— uF a ee —— —
62
On the same day this experiment was begun, a second was also com-
menced, like the first in every particular except that the healthy bugs
used, in experimentation, were exposed to fungus infested individuals
for only five hours, and then placed under their respective glasses. As
a result on ‘August 15, thirteen days after, none had died, thus strongly
indicating that the Hntomophthora did not exist generally in the fields,
and that it could not be communicated during a period of five hours,
exposure.
On August 7 a large number of healthy bugs were placed under
glass, with a number which had recently died from Hntomophthora, the
moisture in the vessel being absorbed by calcium chloride. A check
experiment was also commenced, where the material and the condi-
tions were the same, except the humidity of the atmosphere, care being
taken to have the latter as nearly saturated with moisture as possible.
August 10, the original experiment was divided and a portion of the
healthy bugs removed and placed in a damp environment, the remain-
der being kept under the original dry conditions. The results on
August 22 were as follows. In the original experiment, where the
healthy bugs had been continually in dry quarters, not a single bug
had died from Entomophthora. Not only this, but none of those which
had been removed after three days and placed in dry quarters had died,
showing that the disease was not contracted and did not develop in
healthy bugs, though kept exposed in a dry atmosphere for fifteen
days, nor could it be originated by placing, in a damp atmosphere, for
twelve days, bugs which had been exposed to contagion for three days
in dry quarters. The results withthe check experiment were quite dif-
ferent. Within five days after being confined with the Yntomophthora,
the healthy bugs began to die from effects of the disease, and in three
days more every one had died from the same cause, their bodies being
covered with spores.
Still another experiment was tried which consisted in confining a
large number of healthy bugs with others diseased in a damp environ-
ment, and when the fungus had destroyed a portion the remainder were
divided and a part removed to dry quarters. Theresult was that while
those left in damp confinement continued to die, none of those inclosed
in dry environment were destroyed. As the fungus had by this time be-
come distributed over the experiment farm so that I could not tell with
certainty whether material from the fields was in a perfectly healthy
condition or not, no farther experiments were made in this direction.
From the foregoing it will be observed that the essential element in
all of these experiments was an abundance of moisture, without which
the Hntomophthora could neither become established nor flourish after
it had gained a footing. Again the extent to which the disease will
prove contagious will depend upon the number of bugs. Without
great numbers massed together comparatively few would contract the
disease. To sum up the matter there is little hope for relief to the
farmer from the influence of Hntomophthora, except when Chinch Bugs
stn ticki:
63
are abundant and massed together in great numbers, and during a
period of wet weather. I have succeeded in getting the fungus estab-
lished at two widely located points in Indiana, and do not consider it
at all difficult to introduce in localities where Chinch Bugs are abun-
dant, provided the weather is favorable. But if it is ever utilized by
the farmer, which seems to me to be at present a matter of considerable
doubt, it will only be after the pest has become very abundant, during the
time between the first larvaland adult stages and in a wet time. After
the Hntomophthora has been introduced into a certain field it will be-
come diffused only in proportion as the bugs travel about and healthy
bugs come in contact with spores from those which have died from the
disease. This will not be very great until the pupal stage is reached.
The larve of Chinch Bugs seem to in some way understand that while
moulting they will be well nigh helpless, and hence hide themselves away
in vast numbers in secluded places. Under such conditions the spores
thrown from diseased bugs would reach a larger number of their fellows,
I havefound adults but recently moulted affected by the Entomophthora.
After the bugs acquire wings and scatter themselves over the country,
the liability to contagion will be again reduced, unless in case of very
severe invasions, where from force of numbers congregating on or about
food plants becomes a necessity. Hence, the introduction of the fungus
among larvee will at first proceed but slowly, and only in extreme cases
and under favorable conditions can it be expected to proceed much more
rapidly among adult bugs. In short, the only way that this fungoid
disease seems capable of being employed in agriculture is by the estab-
lishment of some central propagating station to which farmers can apply
and receive an abundant supply of infested bugs on short notice. By
this means they could take advantage of a rainy period of a week or
ten days, and, if they can contrive by sowing plats of millet and Hun-
garian to mass the bugs in certain localities about their fields, they
might accomplish something towards warding off an invasion. But
the possibility of overcoming an invasion after it is fully under way,
as is almost sure to be the case during a dry season, it must be con-
fessed is not very encouraging. My failure afterrepeated experiments
to produce this Hntomophthora in the vicinity of Lafayette without the
importation of germs is decidedly against the theory that might be ad-
vanced that the northeastern portion of the State was kept free of
destructive invasions by reason of this disease brought about by wet
weather. There is as yet no reason to believe that the disease has
ever existed in that section of the State.
Before leaving the subject it will be proper to state that in my exper-
iments a larva of Chrysopa was introduced by accident and passed
through the larval stage, feeding continually on bugs dying from the
effects of the fungus.
After harvest the Chinch Bugs, as usual, transferred their attention
to various grasses which were growing up among the stubble, more
especially Setaria and Panicum, but as these succumbed to their contin-
64
ued attacks they transferred their attention to Timothy, and appeared
to subsist equally well upon it.
At the date of wheat-harvesting, fields were swarming with a species
of lady beetle, Coccinella 9-notata, they having become excessively
abundant by reason of the great numbers of the Grain Aphis, and
as these disappeared the Coccinella was obliged to scatter themselves
about and seek other food. As large numbers were found on stalks of
growing corn infested by chinch-bugs, it seemed proper to determine
the object of attraction to such places. The problem was in part solved
by the fact that wherever great numbers of Chinch Bugs had punctured
the corn plants the sap would exude from these punctured spots, and
there the beetles would be found, singly or in groups of two or three,
engaged in feeding upon the sap. Beetles placed under glass with a
great number of Chinch Bugs refused to prey upon the latter, even when
brought nearly to the point of starvation.
While searching under the sheaths of corn on several occasions larvie
and pupie of a Syrphus fly were found, ii many cases, right among the
masses of young bugs. From some of these pup thus obtained we
reared adults of Pipiza pulchella. Whether this species will ultimately
prove to be an enemy of the Chinch Bug, it is too much to say, but the
larvie found by me could only have fed upon bugs or exuding sap, as
they were near the roots of the corn where no pollen iad collected.
THE GRAIN APHIS.
(Siphonophora avene Fab.)
Probably no insect has appeared in the State of Indiana for many
years which caused such a general commotion among wheat-growers,
and which worked so little damage, considering, its numbers, as this.
Occurring every year in greater or less numbers, and having been
frequently sent us by farmers, we were not at all surprised to receive
specimens from Gallatin County, Hl., on May 27, and also a few days
later from our aged friend Dr. Richard Owen, of New Harmony, Posey
County, Ind. Probably about May 20 can be set down as the date of
appearance, in numbers to attract attention in the extreme southern
part of the State, the invasion terminating in the extreme northern por-
tion about the Ist of July.
That the outbreak, which was probably the most severe since 1861
and 1862, should reach the magnitude that it did, both in point of
numbers and area infested, was a surprise to me, as the preceding
November had been spent by myself in traveling about, visiting the
wheat fields of various portions of the State, these insects then being
observed in no greater numbers than was usual at that season of the
year. The winter following was an extremely mild one, which, taken
with the statement of Dr. Cyrus Thomas,* that the insect passes the
winter on grain plants in the fields, might lead to a misunderstanding
as to the actual effect of mild winters.
* Eighth Rep. St. Ent. Il1., 1879, p. 53.
65
The winters of 1861 and 1862, the years of the serious outbreaks
in New York and New England, though not particularly severe in the
sections above mentioned, were by no means noted for mildness. It
seems doubtful, therefore, if the causes leading to the invasion of the
present year would carry us farther back than the spring months, a
statement strongly substantiated by our own observation.
Starting, then, with the month of March we search for some meteoro-
logical element which might affect the increase of the Grain Aphis, and
which appears both in the present season and also in 1861 and 1862.
TABLE H.—General weather conditions in various localities during years of great abun-
dance of Grain Aphis.
Locality. Year. | March. April. May. June.
(1861... § Cool... Cool .---.. Cook Fone Goal.
eg ee Ny Marland oe Peen eos 1969, .|$ Coots -.! Cool 222222) Cook 222222] Goal
| Wiet 242% 1 Wietsoses. Dryeeeeene dry
Tnddiana 2-22. 2 see ees ce eeeseeeseeeeee eens PSU one oe ey tbey ee
DYPSTELTe NCW.) VOLK Seems ae eles sane eal» IEE) 2 c|ladcnetacsbaclloanncecasaoa|laocessans = Wet
L
The weather conditions as s relating to New York and New England
for 1861 and 1862, as given in Table H are based upon reports contained
in the Country Gentleman for these years. Those for Indiana are based
on the reports of the State Weather Service, and the data for western
New York, for 1889, was given me by Prof. James Troop, Horticultural-
ist of the Indiana Experiment Station, who visited Livingston County
in July. |
From Table I, taken from Indiana Weather Service reports, it will be
observed that during March and April the temperature was considera-
bly above the normal, with the precipitation during this time below the
average. On the other hand, the temperature of the months of May
and June was much below the normal, with, as indicated by Table I, pre-
cipitation above the average. By referring to Table K, however, it will
be observed that about half of the precipitation of May fell on the 29th
and 30th of the month, thereby changing the apparent state of affairs,
and practically become May into the an period.
We have stated that the outbreak of the grain Aphis became con-
spicuous in southern Indiana and Illinois in May. It is also true that
they reached their maximum numbers during the very last of this month
and early June. In other words, they appeared during cool, dry weather,
and disappeared in cool, wet weather. Thus far the old theory of ento-
mologists, that wet weather is detrimental to their increase appeared
true.
But it is also true, that while in southern localities they were disap-
pearing during a wet period, in central and northern Indiana and
western New York they were rapidly gaining in numbers, under pre-
cisely similar conditions.
23479—No. 22 5
66
Turning now to Table H, we search for an element common to the in-
vasions of 1861 and 1862 and 1889, bearing in mind that in southern
Indiana the pest arose to the maximum during May and early June,
and in New York during June and early July.
TABLE I.—Comparative temperature and precipitation throughout the Slate of Indiana
Sor March, April, May, and June, 1889.
TEMPERATURE (DEGREES—FAHRENHEIT).
|
;
|
{
|
|
|
March. April. May. June.
f | g g a lg
a om om om one
mS HS HS HS
Counties. Stations. is a Es a 3 arr al A |
5 25 25 ae eo: a
5 = ela a ae ra e| tS | renal
S |-8 | sa 8) ee) epee aes
~ Qe 3) a7 a aE =) | Qe
= ° o =) (5) ° o o |} @o
A A Q | A A A A A A
SOTHGIIT pa Ae eae omepe eee ane 5 | 41.1 2.8) 54589) 0509 | 6474 1 eae
Dnabars; e026 =" Huntingburgh ~~. 6 | 41.4 +4.6 | 54.6 21 | 64.0 | --1.4 | 72.8 | —1.0
Gibson... =...) erinceton <----_ =. 5 | 41.8] +4.7 | 54.1] 41.1 | 64.7 | —0.3 | 74.0 | —3.8
Crawford .....- Marenvoi--s-_---- 6 | 42.3 oe Meee d aecta lene: 65.3 | —0:9") 72.2) —093
Washington ...| Salem -.-......... Grae 42959) 158529) —0.70 6452) "051" | eee eee eae
Switzerland! -.4) Wevaly.---.5.-s50-- 21 | 42.8; +3.9 | 54.8! 41.3 | 65.4 | —0.8 | 74.4 | —3.5
Jennings ....-. Butlerville ...-.-- 4 | 42.4} 42.9 | 55.5 | —2.0 | 65.7 | —4.0 | 73.7 | —3.2
Greene .... -... Worthington ..... 6 | 39.6 +1.5 | 538.9 | +0.9 63.9 | —3.2 | 70. 2))- —2. 4
Bartholomew ..| Columbus ..-..--. 6 | 38.4 2h | Oe.2 [4-052 || GdoA4e |) oe An eee
Riplovies sos Sunman ...... sues 6 | 39.4 | +3.0] 53.4 | +0.4 | 65.3 | —3.0| 72.5 | —4.3
Warrick 2... DagoniaSprings. - 6 | 43.4 |. +2.1 | 55.8 | —0O.7 | 64.6 | —2.5 | 72.0 | —2.3
Clik sae cee 3: IMC CMICK Saat oe tz | 42.9 +3.1 | 55.3 | +1.14 | 64.5 | —1.4 | 74.3 | —2.3
RORY el esate ree corel ae nale nea aire ne ce 5 | 36.7 +4,.9 | 51.0 | +0.3 61.9 | —1.0 | 70.4 | —2.6
Johnson .....-- PATI) waeeeeee 6} 37.9} +5.1 |] 52.0 | +1.4 | 63.0 | —1.2 | 70.8 | —2.5
Havetto:. .- 1.5. Connersville...... T loess +-5,'5.| 49.8 | +3.0) || 62:6) ),—121. | Tide Sae6
Marion :....... Indianapolis ..... 18 | 39.8 2.8 | 52.5 | +0.1 | 64.1 | —3.9 | 72.5 | —5.3
BNNs saeocwon: IU VE hie Sees eee 8 | 35.0 =6- 1, |, 495.2") 0.49" (G02 1 GS a7 alee :
entry - 22.5.2 Spiceland ......-- 35 | 37.0 +6.0 | 50.0] +2.6 | 61.6) +0.7 | 70.5 | —2.5
IWiayne o. s.<55 Richmond ........ 6 | 35.9 +2.0 | 50.5 | —3.1 62.0 | —4. 2) 69249) ==255) 2
Randolph ...... Farmland .......- 6 | 36.4 +6.0 | 48.7 | +2.8 | 61.3 | —0.3 | 69.7 | —2.3 :
Delawzure ...-... Muncietcsoeace nes 4 | 38.1 +5.2 | 52.3 | —1.8 | 62.2 | —1.1 ) 70.0 1] —1.5 3
Grier Ce este 8 tek eee one ra Fd 5° 34.5) +3.8 | 49.9 | —0.1 | 61.0 | 2.4] 70.0) 38 |
Tippecanoe ....| Latayette.......-.. 10 | 36.1 | +1.7 | 54.7] —3.9 | 61.4 | —2.1 | 70.0 | —3.8
Carroll... cs Delphi) 2s -se-<06 4.) 36,0) =--107 | 5i06 | —1.4 | 6203) || 397. | Sesees eee
Whitley ....... Columbia City. --. 4 | 34.7 +1.9 | 48.9 | —0.9 60.0 | —2.7 | 69.5 | —5.6 ;
Steuben ....... AMO Ol Feces coe 5 | 31.7] +6.3 | 47.8 | +1.4 | 63.1 | —1.7 | 68.9 | —0.4
BSERGG coe) coe pee +3.9|519|/ 0.00 | 621] —1.4| 70.9 | —3.0
:
PRECIPITATION (INCHES). {
MOUBNCIM cafe cactian| sscmeer ne cmatermewicas 5 | 2.67 | —1.49 | 3.26 | —2.45 | 3.94 |+1.56 | 4.07 |+0, 65
Mubpis)+..-s =. Huntingburgh..-. 6 | 3.28 | —2. 48 | 2.98 | —3.30 | 3.92 |+-2.63 | 3.86 |—0. 24
GrpSsON ene sais Princeronasseeeee | 5 | 2.45 | —0.45 | 2..43'| —1.63 | 3.09 |4+12.31 | 3.55 |--0.05
Crawford ..<... Marengo .--..--.: 6 | 3.25 | —2.15 | 5.28 | —4.68 | 6.00 |+3.85 | 5.27 |+1.25
Wiashington: .-] Salem ........-... 6 | 2.62 | —1.56 | 3.68 | —2.58 | 3.24 |+2.05 os te |e
Switzerland ...| Vevay.-....-..... 91 | 4.03 |'—3, 20 | 3.40 | —2.48 | 3.53 |+2.64 | 5.07 |—0. 61
Jennings ......| Butlerville ....... 4 | 3.35 | —2.21 | 2.93 | —1.72 | 5.56 |+0. 87 | 5.56 |—1. 85
Greene:.- .2::..- Worthington ...-. 7 | 2.59 | —0.58 | 3.04 | —1.50 | 4.19 |—1.29 | 4.51 |+-2. 8L 2
3artholomew -..| Columbus .....--. 6 | 2.52 | —1.65 | 2.60 | —1.96 | 3.45 |+1.35 | 3.50 }+0. 88
Ip leyess cscs NUMAN +2. scate es 6 | 2.45 | —1.22 | 3.41 | —1.77 | 4.38 |4+1.48 | 4.35 |+-1.61 ‘
Wrarticlks.<. 25. Dagonia Springs. . 6 | 2.92 | —1.11 | 2.88 | —1.90 | 3.06 !41.02 | 5.10 |—0. 61
Olarkh 2. 4.-.20 Bitte racks sae 12 | 2.73 | —1.86 | 3.65 | —2.70 | 4.09 |+1.46 | 4.04 |-+-0.18
Conbralise. tic see-3| Seder 5k ce eee 5 | 2.33 | —0.98 | 2.82 | —1.46 | 4.19 /4+1. 43 | 3.80 |+1.08
Jolinson ....--. iP rankline-= : eos.< | G | 2.45 | —1.10 | 2.68 | —1. 47 | 4.04 |4+-0.33 | 3.80 |+-2. 20
Fayette........ Connersville..-.... 7 | 2.55 | —1.70 | 2.82 | —1.43 | 4.47 |4-2.12 | 4.37 |—0.61
Marion:-2-2.:2- Indianapolis ..---. 18 | 3.85 | —L.70 | 3.59 | —1.47 | 4.15 |+1.61 | 5.44 |“. 76
PRS Wks emiect ee 2 IMRAN ia cero teat 9 | 3.50 | —1.80 | 4.52 | —2. 44 | 4.89 |4-1.:20 | 5.45 |—0.75
EET TY ae eaeintee Spiceland......... 35 | 3.90 | —1. 82 | 3.20 | —1.52 | 3.35 |+3.08 | 4.20 | +0. 40
WiRNNO: 2: ss 2=m:0 Richmond ........ Gije2038. | — 1.58) 207s) =i Ob Ano 2.5% | 4.07 |—0. 33
Randolph ...... Rarmiand?.-2 5252 6 | 2.18 | —0.46 | 2.52 | —1.45 | 4.42 |—0.27 | 3.68 |+-1.91 3
Delaware ...... Mancie. ss eo Ail Ri darte |) ok3 bn ae) eeetere She teed ael eee eee Se eee ee son 7
INGOT AMOM Us emee ee ecm ae tee se ee oneee 5 | 2.02 | —0.14 |2.03 | —1.15 | 4.46 |4-1. 24 | 4712 |-F056r :
Tippecanoe ....| Lafayette .....-..| 10 | 2.39 | —0.70 | 2.78 | —1. 9% | 4.86 |4+1.55 | 4.91 |—0. 77 i
MOMITOLEE oe sac are.c Delph ssscer ce se 4") 1,92 <7 | 2.16 | —2. 35) (ho 82 |e aa lee ered linemen ,
Whitley ....... Columbia City... 4] 2.0L | +0.45 | 2.50 | —1.45 | 5.17 |+-0.78 | 4.46 |—0. 67
Steuben ....... ANOS o-cesec sss 5 | 2.18 | —0.18 | 2.21 | —1.02 | 4.28 |+0.97 | 4,48 |—0. 98
DLAUOSS sc Pees week ware donee Oreo eae 7 | 2 37 | —0.86 | 2.70 | —1.89 | 4.22 |+1.28 | 4.16 |+0.(4
— 667
TABLE K.—2ecords of rain-fall throughout Indiana during May, 1889.
Place of observation. Precipitation. | Noes of
ays.
= igs a8 test in | || |s
Y : = ireatest in |
2 a z 3 E 24 vonsecu- eal al iisioe
ima > s = q Lat lol
; ss 5 F ee tive hours. fg EB
Stations. Covuties. aaa ae res see Slee | esl ee
=aA| 3 iS 3] 9 S&S 12/7) s/o
= 3 pe | ane : 7 sl-/2/4a
re s= o& /aO_!| 6 3 E |siSlS/F%
aloe Se pee = a S (Slsl9|q
4 4 Hy |x bt a MD |OMIO1O
Southern : eae ty In. |
Mount Vernon...| Posey...........-- ab 410, 37 58] 87 54] 4.53 | 3.35 | 29, 3n Te. 8 F116 8
Huntingburgh...| Dubois ...........| a |.-- | 38 21] 86 59] 6.55 | 3.55 | 29,30) 0 7| 0l24) 10
Princeton........ Gabsontesses: ss a=- a | 481) 38 23] 87 35) 4.40 | 1.40 | 29 30 0 1413) 4 ef
Marengo.......-.. Unawior lus semeccs a |.-..| 38 24) 86 24, 9.85 | 5.70 | 29, 30 0 {10 9/12) 11
SHI oH. ses |W aAShIN@tOM ses es c 38 38) 86 7| 5.29 | 2.76 | 29,30 0 j14) 8} 9} 10
WOVEY -222n53 <- Switzerland .....- ab} 525) 38 47) 84 59) 6.17 | 2.60 | 29,30 0 |11) 713 16
Butlerville. ....-- A Rerey ch Kes See aese a | .- | 39 3] 85 33] 6.43 | 4.02 | 29,30 0 |16, 8) 7 13
Worthington .-..; Greene ....-...... c | 540) 39 9} 87 0) 2.90 | 1.86 | 29, 30 Oneal 1l
Seymour. -.-.-.--. ice) NET ete enenec © | 648) 88 45) 86 31| 6.14 | 3.00 29) Sls Or 15
Columbus....---- Bartholomew .....| ¢ |.--.| 39 13] 85 56) 4.80 | 2.27 | 29,30 0 | 910)12 1?
STANT eee Ripley .--s-< paaeee © |1018) 39 14) 85 6) 5.72 | 2.60 | 29, 30 0 |14) 8} 9} 11
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Indianapolis -..-.. Marion.2osd2 05 - ab} 766) 39 47) 86 11, 5.76 | 2.13 | 29, 30 0} 6) 916). 15
MAWZy <25 5. Soe lip ie) Nese ses ieee (63 Ie aeace, aera 6.09 | 2.79 | 29, 30 OV Ss See 14
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SUMMARY. ~
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68
The wet weather theory here appears broken, and a low temperature
is the only element which appears uniforinly through the morths dur-
ing which the Grain Aphis was, in all probability, increasing with the
greatest rapidity. That cool weather should favor the development of
these insects would, if true, bea new factor in the problem, not only
of this, but other species also; and before leaning too heavily upon
this evidence we should cast about for good reasons for this apparent
ambiguity.
There is one very important element in this whole problem which we
have so far left out of consideration, viz, natural enemies. While low
temperature might not favor the development of the grain Aphis, or in
fact, if the effect was slightly adverse, if the outcome was to destroy or
retard the development of parasites, the ultimate result would be to
favor the Aphis.
For myself, I can not get rid of the feeling that the indirect action of
the weather of May and June—the action upon the parasites—was
much greater than the direct effect upon the Aphis itself.
According to my field-notes, my earliest observation of the grain
Aphis about La Fayette, lat. 40° 27’ N., during any year, was on April
27, and we have observed them during other years on grain early in
May, in greater abundance than they were the present year on the Ist
of June; yet in the former case no outbreak occurred. Up to the Ist
of June, the Aphis was not exceedingly abundant on grain about La
Fayette. ;
ven as late as the 7th their numbers on the heads of wheat were
not so much greater than they had occasionally been in former years
as to cause alarm; yet within ten days they were swarming in these
same fields in myriads. This certainly bespeaks more of the effects of
relief from the pressure of parasitism than from the effect of meterolog-
ical conditions, especially a change from dry to wet weather.
The question may be asked, why, if this be true, were not the para-
sites destroyed in the southern portion of the State, late in May, thereby
relieving the Grain Aphis from this check on their increase, and why
the latter by reason of this relief did not, as the wheat became too ad-
vanced, overrun the oat-fields, as would have at that date naturally
followed. The reply is that such results did follow toa limited extent,
the oats being rather more seriously infested by the Aphis than farther
northward, and the reason why this feature was not more marked was
doubtless owing to the fact that the cold waves of the first and last of
May, especially the latter, were less severe than farther north, and the
effect on the parasites correspondingly less fatal.
The records of the State weather service show that the minimum
temperature of the first four days of May at La Fayette was below the
freezing point; and on the 22d, 23d, 30th, 31st, from 34° to 39° Fahr.
The mean minimum for the entire State for the same month, according
to the same authority, was, for the southern portion, 36° Fahr., for the
central 329 Fahr., and for the northern 30° Fahr,
69
Buekton (British Aphides, vol. 1, p. 70) has the following to say with
regard to the effect of weather on this and other species of Aphides :
Violent changes of*temperature seem much to check the multiplication of the
Aphides. <A cold rain, or the outburst of a thunder storm, will often cause the almost
entire extermination of swarms, and wash them, never to return, from their native
plants. Nevertheless, the close and hot atmosphere before a thunder storm seems to
to be peculiarly suited to their propagation. At such times the winged forms occur
in great numbers and take flight on the gentle winds, which transport them many
miles to other feeding grounds, to become the foundresses of other colonies.
The effect of the parasites on the Grain Louse was simply astonishing,
while their numbers were myriads. Going to the fields of recently har-
vested grain, if one stood in a position to bring the newly made shocks
between himself and the setting sun, he could clearly observe the
swarms of minute Hymenopters arising therefrom and flying away. Be-
sides, the stubble-fields were overrun with lady beetles and their
larvee.
Nevertheless, there are good grounds for the belief that the heavy
showers during the latter part of June and early July, in the central
and northern portions of Indiana, washed many young from the heads
of the grain and destroyed them. Besides, either the severe thunder
and lightning which accompanied these storms or the rapidly matur-
ing grain, or both, perhaps, caused the winged adults to betake them-
selves to the oat-fields, where they would probably have caused further
damage had not their relentless foes, the Hymenopters, pursued them
and continued their work of destruction.
It was a common sight early in July, in northern Indiana, to see
adults of the grain-lice attached singly to heads of oats, sometimes with
a few young clustered about them, assuming the form and color so in-
dicative of parasitism. In southern Indiana, late in June, the same
thing was observed on oats, and parasitized adults were also abundant
on the heads of blue-grass, even long distances from grain fields.
In summing up the matter, it may be safely said that wet weather
will not, of itself, prevent an outbreak of the grain Aphis, or dispel it
after under full headway. It must be borne in mind, however, that cool
wet weather, during May and June, will enable grain plants to sustain
greater drafts on their vitality than will very dry and hot weather. It
is also probably true that a cool temperature during spring and early
summer is either directly or indirectly favorable to the development of
the grain Aphis.
Regarding the life history of the species under consideration we have
never found them in the fields at an earlier date than April 27. From
this time we have an unbroken record of their occurrence up to July 9,
when there is a break in their continuity of appearance until Septem-
ber 1, when full grown apterous females were found on leaves of early
sown wheat. From this latter date we again have an unbroken record
up to December 30. We have also observed the sexes pairing on No-
vember 11 and December 5.
70
We have several times attempted to follow the species through July
and August, but have always failed. Adults placed on various kinds
of grasses in breeding cages invariably died during July. The occur-
rence of great numbers of wingless parasitized females on heads of
Poa pratensis, long distances from grain fields, strongly suggest this
erass as one of its midsummer food plants. While in this and other
cases we have been unable to rear Aphides on certain plants in breed-
ing cages, yet we do not feel at all certain but that outside, under the
usual environments, nature might accomplish precisely the same object.
The results of breeding cage experiments with Aphides must always be
accepted with extreme caution.
The present year we had young grain growing continually from spring
to November, yet not asingle grain Aphis was to be found on either
this young grain or grasses from July 9 to late in October. Their
limited numbers at this season may, however, be accounted for by the
fact that they were very nearly exterminated in July by their natal
enemies.
Dr. Cyrus Thomas states that in 1875, in Southérn Illinois, he ob-
served winged and wingless specimens on wheat during winter, and
suggests that the species winters over in other forms than the egg.*
There appears to be no good reason for doubting the truth of Dr.
Thomas’ suggestion, especially if applied to mild winters. During the
time we have been located in a wheat-growing district the winters have
been quite severe, so that we have not been able to follow the species
through the cold months. The winter of 188889 was a mild one, but
we were absent in Australia during the entire time.
Siphonophora avene is by no means the only species of Aphides in-
festing the plants of our smaller cereal grains. An undescribed species
of Toxoptera occurs on the leaves of wheat in the latitude of La Fayette,
in June. We have earried this species through July and August on
wheat in breeding cages, found it again in the fields in September, and
from this on until the 22d of December. During the latter month they
continued to reproduce in a room, which, though warm during the day,
the temperature fell below the freezing point every night. I have not
been able to follow the species through the winter months in the fields.
A species of Aphis, undistinguishable from A. mali, appears regularly
every September, and, indeed, sometimes as early as July 17, on young
wheat and rye. From the latter date up to the 12th of November they
have been observed on young grain, giving birth to their young.
Notwithstanding the fact that the species is not distinguishable from
the apple tree Aphis, yet the attempt to transfer them to the apple leaf,
or vice versa, has invariably resulted in failures.
A second Aphis, as yet undescribed, is found about the roots of wheat,
often in sufficient nnmbers to affect the plants. This species occurs
Penquekony fhe: entire State, from about the last of Bepleniney and
* Eighth Rep. ‘St. Ent. MN, 1879, p- 53.
a eee
71
probably winters over in the fields, in other stages besides the egg, al.
though we have never yet found them on grain during the early part
of the year.
An undescribed species of Rhopalosiphum was found on spring grown
volunteer wheat, on July 12, of the present year. A few days later
aduits, both winged and wingless, and young in all stages of develop-
ment, were found on the heads of orchard grass, Dactylis glomerata,
and also on the heads of spring sown rye, working precisely after the
manner of the true Grain Aphis. This species I was not able to follow
in the fields after about the 10th of August, when it left the heads of
rye, and, though a large number were placed on young wheat plants,
in a breeding cage, all seem to have died.
When this last species was confined on wheat, the same cage and
plants were utilized as had been used in the attempt to carry the true
grain Aphis through the months of July and August. But as none of
the many individuals placed on the plants survived, a large number of
heads of rye thickly infested by the Rhopalosiphum were placed in the
eage. When the first winged adult appeared in this cage, I was not a
little surprised to find it belonged to neither one of the species inten-
tionally placed in the cage, but to a species of Myzus, which could have
only gained admission by being introduced with one or the other or both
of the other species.
By whatever way it gained admission, this Myzus has continued to
throw off generation after generation, and at date of writing, Novem-
ber 25, is still reproducing, although during the entire time—nearly
four months—it has had no other plants except wheat upon which to
subsist. It is undescribed.
Still another species (a Megoura sp.?) was found giving birth to young,
on leaves of young rye, August 9, but not observed afterwards.
The natural enemies of the Grain Aphis were, as we might expect,
unusually numerous the present year, and especially those belonging
to the Hymenoptera. Of these we had reared, during other years, a
species of Trioxys in quite abundance, and this season the following
occurred in great numbers: Bassus sycophanta Walsh, Aphidius avena-
phis Fitch, Isocratus vulgaris Walker, Encyrtus webstert Howard, Allo-
tria tritict Fitch, Megaspilus niger Howard, Pachyneuron micans Howard.
Of the Syrphids, Sphaerophoria cylindrica, Xanthogramma emarginata,
and Allograpta obliqua were very numerous. A secondary parasite,
Bassus sycophanta, was in some localities so exceedingly abundant that
nearly all of these useful flies were destroyed. ;
Two species of Chrysopa were exceedingly useful. In a field of
wheat, near Indianapolis, about the middle of June, these were so
abundant that at every step, from one to four or five individual adults
would be disturbed, and take wing. The field was but very slightly
attacked by Siphonophora.
12
Of the Coleopterous enemies, the Coceinellidw were by far the most
industrious. Of this family probably Coccinella 9-notata, with its larvee,
was the most abundant and generally distributed species.
In a field of newly harvested grain, in La Grange County, within a
radius of 3 feet from where I was standing at the time, fifteen individ-
uals were counted, crawling about among the stubble. Hippodamia
parenthesis followed next, in point of numbers, H. conrergens, H. 13-
punctata and H. glacialis being also found in quite large numbers in
various localities. Megilla maculata was scarcely noticed at all, and
Anatis 15-punctata but once.
Podabrus tomentosus was exceedingly useful in some portions of the
State, while Telephorus carolinus was often quite numerous in the fields
of the central part of the State.
ee dd
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MISSOURI FOR THE SEA-
SON OF 1889.
By Mary KE. Murtrenpt, Airkwood, Mo.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
Dear Sir: I inclose herewith such of my notes and observations on insects as may
be of economic interest, and in this connection desire to express my sincere thanks
for determinations and other assistance, for which I am indebted to yourself and to
others of the official force of the Division.
Yours, very respectfully,
-
Mary E. MurRTFELDT.
Prof. C. V. RILry,
U. S. Entomologist.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The Cabbage Curculio (Ceutorhynchus rapw).—A number of my corre-
spondents in the central part of the State have intormed me of the
serious ravages of this insect in their hot-beds and vegetable gardens.
Mr. I*. M. Webster also wrote me, about the middle of May, that it had
appeared in his garden in La Fayette, Ind. As yet [ have not found
it in Kirkwood or vicinity, and as it was with some difficulty that I
obtained specimens for study, I have not been able to make such tests
of insecticides upon it as would be practicable in the field. It promises
to become a general and very considerable pest to the market. gar-
dener.
The Wavy-striped Flea-beetle (Phyllotreta vittata)—This insect ap-
peared in great numbers this year in all parts of the State, being very
destructive to peppergrass, early radishes, turnips, cabbage,.and other
Crucifere during the months of April and May. Mr. 5S. W. Gilbert, of
Thayer, in the extreme southern part of the State, reported a loss of
over fifty thousand cabbage-plants from the work of the larvz on the
roots. I could searcely credit the statement that such extensive injury
was attributable to this one insect until convinced by specimens of the
pest, and of the injured plants which were excoriated and channeled on
the surface of the roots from collar to tip, the foliage also being injured
73
74
by the mature beetles. A top-dressing of wood-ashes with a slight ad-
mixture of Paris green was recommended, but I was not informed with
what results.
In company with this flea-beetle on the leaves of late radishes in our
own garden, I was surprised to find great numbers of a species of
Podura. I could not determine whether it produced any effect on the
radish foliage independently, or why it should have appeared there so
numerously.
Canker-worms (Anisopteryx vernata), except in orchards thoroughly
plowed and harrowed the previous autumn, were quite abundant.
Owing to the very warm winter, and consequent irregularity in emer-
gence of the moths, cotton band traps, applied even as early as the first
of March, did not capture as large a proportion of the females as usual.
On some trees, therefore, the worms were numerous and where not
killed by spraying were quite injurious.
The Plum Curculio, which last year caused seareely any damage to
the fruits usually affected by it, appeared this season with recruited
ranks; and on peach and plum trees, where spraying was not prac-
ticed, or where the frequent rains washed off the arsenites, a large pro-
portion of the fruit was stung. As confirmatory of the single brooded-
ness of the species, I observed that all the very late peaches, whether
free or cling stones, even when so severely punctured on the surface as
to prevent the development of the fruit, were entirely free from worms,
showing that the cuts had been made for food only.
Aphidide.—It would seem as though all known and unknown species
of this group ef insects appeared in myriads throughout the Missis-
sippi Valley, during the spring and summer. In many instances trees
and shrubbery were killed outright by the punctures of their countless
beaks, and the closing of the stomata of the leaves by their sticky
exudations. So badly infested were the elms, maples, lindens, box-
elders, and other shade trees, in and around Minneapolis, Minn., during
the latter part of June that to pause or even pass beneath them was to
endanger one’s apparel from the honey dew that continually dripped
from them, and from the black mold that soon covered trunk and
branch and which *“‘ smutted ? everything touching it. All other insects
seemed to be repelled from the aphis-infested trees; not even a leaf-
roller or leaf-miner could I see. In the September number of INSECT
LIFE, mentioning the prevalence of Aphis avene in the grain-fields of
many of the Middle and Western States, I observe that Missouri was
omitted from the list. The insect, however, occurred quite extensively
in the middle and northern portions of the State, but it appeared
rather late, and but comparatively little damage was done so far as I
have been able to learn.
Syrphus fly, Coccinellid and Chrysopa larvee waged a fierce, but, at
first, unequal warfare with the tiny hosts, assisted by Aphelinus and
probably other smaller as well as larger allies, so that as the season
75
advanced the Aphididw gradually disappeared and where seasonable
rains followed the unfortunate plants measurably recovered, though
the growth of trees and shrubbery was much retarded and distorted
by them.
Codling Moth, not seriously destructive in the northern part of the
State, but in the vicinity of St. Louis and in the southern counties, as [
have been apprised by various correspondents, fully 50 per cent. of the
fruit, on trees not sprayed, was destroyed by it.
The Stalk-borer (Gortyna nitela) committed its usual depredations in
the leaf stalks of rhubarb and in shoots of blackberry and peach.
Mr. S. W. Gilbert wrote me that it was so abundant in his young peach
orchard that in the course of one walk among the trees he cut off twenty-
five or thirty bored shoots. He says:
The worm seems to enter at the second or third bud from the tip and bore through
the heart as far as the body of the tree but does not enter the hard wood.
In the flower garden this insect has done considerable damage by
boring the stalks of dahlias, cosmos, and other flowers.
The Flea-like Negro-bug (Corimelena pulicaria).—Mr. B.S. Pollard, of
Cameron, northwest Missouri, under date of May 22, sent specimens of
this insect with the information that they were very abundant in his
strawberry beds, and doing much damage by puncturing the bearing
stems, causing the fruit to shrivel. As it was the fruiting season, I
was at a loss to suggest a remedy, since this insect is not susceptible to
the effects of pyrethrum, or other non-poisonous applications. In Kirk-
wood it appeared in great numbers on hollyhocks and various other
flowering plants, for which the easiest remedy seemed to be to jar it
into basins of soap-suds to which had been added a small quantity of
kerosene.
Lygus lineatus appeared here and there on tufts of clover, about the
middle of May, injuring the foliage to considerable extent. It inhabits
the under surfaces of the leaves which it speckies with transparent dots
and small patches which cause the leaves to curl and shrivel. Its broad,
flat larva is of a dull, pale green color, variegated with a.few ferrugin-
ous marks and shadings. The pupa is very similar, with the addition
of the wing-pads.
The Tarnished Plant-bug (Lygus pratensis Linn.).—This insect was more
abundant than usual throughout the State, and from numerous corre-
spondents I received bitter complaints of its injuries to apple and pear
buds and to strawberry beds. During the autumn it appeared in con-
siderable numbers on chrysanthemums, on which its peculiarly poison.
ous punctures produce most disastrous effects. I was quite suecessful
in driving it from our own plants by liberal applications of X. O. dust,
which proved at the same time a good remedy for the brown aphis,
which is such a common and unmanageable pest on these beautiful
flowers. The plants were not injured in the least by the insecticides.
76
The Streaked Cottonwood beetle (Plagiodera scripta) appeared in our
grounds during June on a young Populus, which it threatened to ecom-
pletely defoliate. The tree being small admitted of thorough drenching
with a plant syringe with the solution of arsenic and ammonia—1 ounce
of arsenic in 1 quart of aqua ammonia—i tablespoonful of the solution
to a gallon of water, by which means and a little hand-picking the pest
was so thoroughly exterminated that it did not reappear later in the
season.
The 12-spotted Diabrotica (D. 12-punetata) was a serious pest during
the latter part of the season, not only on squash and cucumber vines,
but on late sweet-corn, and especially in its injuries in the flower garden
on the blossoms of roses, dahlias, and cosmos on which it literally
swarmed. To save the flowers it was necessary to make the rounds two
or three times a day and capture or put the beetles to flight. They
were not much affected by any of the milder insecticides, and the arseni-
cal remedies could not very conveniently be applied.
The European Cabbage-butterfly (Pieris rapa) acquires one or more
new food plants annually and threatens to become quite omnivorous.
This year it proved in several localities very destructive to nasturtiums
(Tropewolum) both in flower and vegetable gardens. None of its para-
sites have yet appeared, so far as I have been able to ascertain. It
seems to have entirely supplanted our native P. protodice in this locality.
Wishing to obtain some larvee of the latter for a certain purpose, I made
many examinations during the summer of the neigbboring cabbage
plantations, but did not succeed in finding a single one.
SPECIAL STUDIES.
Tue SPINACH BEETLE.
(Disonyehe collaris Fabr.)
About the middle of April I observed the leaves of spinach in the gar-
den were badly perforated, and, upon examination, I found on the un-
der surfaces numbers of small, dingy, white larvie, evidently of some
Chrysomelid beetle. They reposed in the numerous depressions between
the veins, and a slight shake or jar caused them to drop to the ground.
The insects increased in size and numbers until by the middle of May
all the leaves were badly injured and the gardeners hereabout com-
plained that their spinach was so *“‘ worm eaten” this year that they
could no longer offer it for sale. A few of the samelarve were also found
on young beet leaves, especially of the white and yellow varieties, and
upon the wild Chenopodium album, the latter being, I suspect, the orig-
inal food plant of the insect.
As the larvie drop so quickly upon being disturbed, it is not often
that they are observed by the gardener or cook, and the damage was -
attributed by many to “some kind of cut-worm.” By_ plucking the
é ome
Gi
leaves, carefully, however, as many as fifteen or twenty ‘‘ grubs” were
sometimes found ona single leaf.
April 24 I collected a large number, which were placed in a jar in
order that their development might be more closely watched. Most of
these were ‘still very small, only from 3 to 4™™ in length. When very
young they merely gnaw the under surface of the leaf, noticeable on the
upper side as small discolored spots, but as they increase in size they
eat entirely through both cuticles, making large roundish perforations.
It is probable that there are but three larval molts, as, in the case of
even the smallest larvee under observation, I was able to note but two,
and infer that one had been passed before they were brought in.
The larger larvie entered the ground the 4th, 5th, and 6th of May,
penetrating to a depth of only from one-fourth to one-half an inch and
inclosing themselves in frail, nearly spherical, cocoons or cells of earth
cemented with a viscid secretion. Larvie, however, were found on
the spinach throughout the month of May.
May 25 one of the beetles emerged, which proved to be Disonycha
collaris Fabr.; and from this time until after the middle of June bred
specimens continued to come out.
A package of specimens was sent to the Department in case it should
be considered desirable to have drawings made of the different stages
of development. Unfortunately this consignment did not reach Wash-
ington, and I did not learn of the failure until too late to replace it.
Specimens were, however, preserved in alcohol, which retain all the
important characters. ;
No account of the immature stages of the insect or of its spinach-
feeding propensity is to be found in any work on economic entomology
to which I have access, and I think it has not heretofore been recog-
nized among the pests of the vegetable garden. I therefore subjoin
the following descriptions.
Egg, not observed.
Mature larva, trom which the young differ only in size, 9™™ in length, 3 to 4™™ in
diameter; form subcylindrical, tapering slightly each way from middle segments,
which, both in resting and crawling, appears somewhat elevated or “hunched up.”
Color a dirty, rather livid white, with a shiny, slightly viscid surface, each segment
produced with ten conical papille—lateral ones largest—each of which terminates
in a minute bristle. Head about one-half the diameter of the thoracic segments,
oblique, circular, corneous, fulvous, paler in front, with dark brown mouthparts and ©
two dark brown, somewhat elevated, spots on each side. The posterior end of the
body terminates in a dark brown, corneous wing, most pronounced on the dorsal side,
fringed with bristles. Thisis always appressed to the leaf, and in moving the bris-
tles assist in propulsion. Legs concolorous with general surface, but with fulvous
or dingy brown annulations, the terminal joint being entirely of the dark color.
Pupa, 8™™ in length, 3 in diameter across dorsum, with elytra and wings partly
extended as in other pupe of Halticinw ; the legs drawn up and folded close against
the body. Color pearly white in all its parts, acquiring a translucent gray tinge
before the last transformation.
Beetle quite pale at first, gradually acquiring the dark metallic green of the elytra,
buff thorax, dark legs and under surface and other colorational characteristics of the
mature insect,
78
This species seems to be but single brooded, as no young larve were
to be found after the first of June. As, however, the spinach beds
were rooted out before midsummer in all the gardens of the vicinity, I
can not be quite certain upon this point, but could not discover it on
beets or any of the native Chenopodiacee. The insect is one to which
it is difficult to apply insecticides, as the leaves which it attacks lie
close to the earth and it is, as a rule, on the under side.
NEw Rose SLuG.
(Cladius isomera Harris.)
Early in August a friend, residing at St. Charles, Mo., sent me speci-
mens of a Tenthredinid larva that was working on her rose bushes, es-
pecially on climbers. This species, new to me, devours the entire sub-
stance of the leaves, guawing into them large ragged holes and webbing
them together in the formation of its cocoons, greatly injuriny and dis-
figuring the plants. It is characterized as follows:
Mature larva 12" in length, 3™™ in diameter across thorax, from
whence it tapers very shghtly backward; form cylindrical. Color, pale
bluish-green, surface clothed with tufts of soft gray hairs. Head
opaque, dull whitish green, under the lens densely mottled with pale,
ferruginous, small black dot, above which is a rectangular ferruginous
Spot on each side. Twenty legs, concolorous with general surface.
Spins up between folded leaf or betweeu two leaves, in glassy, gummy,
pale brown cocoon, 7" long, of an oblong shape, flattened on both
sides against the inclosing leaves and with many gummy threads
spreading in every direction.
Cocoons were formed in rearing cage August 20. Flies appeared
August 29. On the 2d of September I detected two in the act of ovi-
positing, with their well-developed “saws” deeply buried, one in the
midrib, the other in the petiole of a fresh leaf. Two or three minutes
’ were occupied in the placing of an egg and each fly put in three or four
without pausing to rest. By carefully detaching the surrounding fibers
the egg was revealed. It is oblong, scarcely 1™™ in length, and almost
transparent. These eggs failed to hatch, probably for lack of fecun-
dation.
From what I have learned from my friend, and infer from the habits of
the insect in the rearing cage, there are an indefinite number of broods
during the summer, and where it has become established it is therefore
a more serious pest of the “queen of flowers” than even Selandria
rose. Ido not doubt, however, that by killing off the earliest broods
with drenchings of an infusion of white hellebore, it could be kept
in check and by perseverance in the treatment eventually extermi-
nated. I have not been informed of its occurrence in any other part of
the State,
ae ane
79
THe Wuitr FRINGE SLUG.
(Selandria ? sp.)
The White Fringe tree (Chionanthus virginica ), in its season one of the
most exquisite of flowering shrubs or small trees, is subject to the an-
nual attack of a medium-sized, spiny slug that pertorates the leaves
with small round holes after reducing the greater number of them to
mere lace-work. This species is single brooded, but the parent flies
appear irregularly and larve may often be found from the latter part
of April until the end of May, in the interval seriously disfiguring,
often killing, the foliage. It lives on the under side of the leaves and
feeds chiefly at night. Full grown larve from 9 to 12™™ long, 3"™ in-
diameter across the thoracic segments, form cylindrical, nearly equal
throughout, or tapering slightly backward from thorax. Color green-
ish-white, surface very rugose, dorsum and sides quite thickly beset
with bifid spines, those on dorsum jet black, arising from velvety black
spots and being largest in the subdorsal region; lateral spines pale.
Head about one-half the diameter of thorax, almost spherical, jet black,
immaculate. Legs, 22 in number, concolorous with general surface,
and unusually well developed. With me it has proved a difficult species
to rear, and 1 confined the larvie for several successive seasons without
getting asingle fly, and last spring but two from a large number of
larve developed. In the rearing cage, after ceasing to feed, the larvie
desert the leaves and wander restlessly around the cage, many of them
dying without entering the ground. The few that transform inclose
themselves in very brittle, nearly spherical cells ‘about an inch below
the surface, and as with most other saw-fly larve that enter the ground
brook no disturbance during the quiescent period. The two flies that
1 succeeded in rearing came out about the middle of April.
Syringing the under sides of the leaves with a strong infusion of
white hellebore, or with Paris green in liquid suspension, wil! kill the
pests, with but little detriment to the foliage.
DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA AND PUPA OF PALTHIS ANGULALIS.
Among the insects trapped last spring in loose cotton around the
trunks of apple trees were a considerable number of a dingy-colored
noctuid larva, about 1 centimeter in length by 4"™ in diameter, of nearly
equal width throughout, the segments appearing somewhat hunched to-
gether. Surface rough, of an earthy-brown color, palest on dorsum.
Under the lens, especially after being dropped in alcohol, a tinge of
green appears, and the paler cast of the dorsal surface is resolved into
a spreading V composed of minute white stippling. This is especially
pronounced on the posterior segments, where the angle of the V is de-
veloped into a papillate elevation. Head small, much retracted, dark
brown; legs and prolegs, and also to some extent the entire ventral sur-
face, verdigris green, These larvie were found from the Ist to the 5th
80
of April, and, when placed in the cage with opening apple buds, nibbled
a little, but almost immediately changed to pup within a cluster of
webbed leaves. Pupa smooth, dark brown, without any especially dis-
tinguishing characters. Three imagines appeared April 24. They were
of a species which had been long before determined for me as a Palthis
angulalis.
With the idea that possibly the immature stages of this insect had
not previously been observed, I submit the above descriptions.
INSECTICIDES.
White arsenic in ammoniacal solution—1 ounce arsenic to 1 quart aqua
ammonia—one tablespoonful of this to a gallon of water proved a
failure in the case of most insects, while it still scorched the leaves
somewhat.
A soda solution made on a smaller scale had much the same effect on
the foliage of peach and plum trees, and was not, so far as could be
observed, efficient in protecting the fruit from cureulio.
White arsenic in boiling water, the latter being only a partial sol-
vent, in the proportion of an ounce of arsenic to 20 gallons of water,
was sprayed upon young peach and plum trees without injury to the
foliage. The frequent rains of the late spring and early summer ren-
dered many of the applications futile in the case of the curculio and cod-
ling moth. Paris green in liquid, 1 pound to 100 gallons of water, has
been found the safest and most reliable insecticide for use against
the canker-worm and codling moth. Its effects on insect life seem to
be due not alone to the percentage of arsenic, but to the general com-
bination, while on vegetation it produces less injury than London pur-
ple or any of the solutions of pure arsenic.
In my somewhat limited experience the petroleum emulsions can not
be excelled as a remedy for all species of scale insects, and when ap-
plied according to instructions, do no appreciable injury to trees and
shrubs.
X. O. Dust.—Late in May I received from the Department a package
of this new patented insecticide, with instructions to test its value on
various injurious insects. It is to be applied full strength and claims
to kill by contact and at the same time to be innoxious to man and the
higher animals and to vegetable life.
June 1.—Applied the powder about 9 o’clock in the morning to Dory-
phora larvee on potato, to late specimens of the rose-slug (Selandria
ros), to Aphis persice on young peach and plum trees, and to Aphis
sp.? on chrysanthemums; also to young cabbages and radishes, on
which flea beetles (Phyllotreta vittata and zimmermanni) were abundant
and destructive. Three hours later visited these plants and noted fol-
lowing results: Rose-slugs considerably affected, showing symptoms of
sickness and paralysis and dropping from the leaves when jarred.
Doryphora larvie not seriously affected, only the smaller ones had
dropped, while some of those nearly grown continued feeding, appar-
81
ently not inconvenienced by the dust that adhered to them. Flea
beetles not killed, but evidently demoralized and deserting rapidly,
Its effects on Aphididw were quite satisfactory. All species to which
it had been applied seemed to be killed or paralyzed and had with-
drawn their beaks from the stems or leaves, and if they had not already
fallen did so upon the slightest jar. At the same time Chrysopa and
Coccinellid larve appeared but little, if any, injured, and were seen
making their way to other hunting grounds on which the game should
not be so pungently spiced. Syrphus-fly larve, however, did not
escape, and all that received much of the dust were killed.
At 7 in the evening more of the powder was distributed on infested
potatoes and on all species of Aphis that could be reached.
June 3.—The effects of the Dust on the Colorado potato-beetle are by
no means so immediate and thorough as claimed in the circulars of the
manufacturers. Repeated applications would seem to be necessary to kil]
the larvze, while according to my experience the perfect beetle will live
for days thoroughly dusted with the powder and inclosed in a box. At
the same time it certainly does protect the plants to which it is applied,
especially while fresh, by acting as a repellant.
September 10.—Tested the Dust on larvee of the cabbage butterfly
which are beginning to be found again in cabbage fields. Used the
insecticide in the open air, also on a few full-grown larve placed-in
jar, under muslin cover.
September i5.—Plants dusted seem almost entirely free from worms,
but several of the larvie confined completed their first transformation
without apparently receiving any injury from the powder.
September 21.—Repeated these tests with powder taken from the bot-
tom of the can and found that young Pieris larvee succumbed to its
effects in two or three hours, while the larger larvie often lived more
than twenty-four hours, not eating, however, in the mean time, but
lingering in a lethargic state until dead.
October 19.—Renewed these experiments on the latest brood of worms
which are now to be found of all sizes on cabbages, turnips, and nastur-
tiums. The immediate effect of the powder is to cause the larvee to
cease feeding and toss themselves about uneasily, making efforts to
free themselves from the irritating substance. Two hours later all were
in a lethargic state, many lying upon their sides in the folds of the leaves
and on the ground. They would squirm when touched, but gave no
other sign of life. Twenty-four hours later all the small larve were
dead ; the others that had passed the second molt still lived, but were
inactive with a sickly color. Forty-eight hours afterward all were
dead. From these tests and experiments I conclude that this X. O.
Dust may be classed with reliable remedies for this and probably other
Lepidopterous cabbage pests, its value being.nearly equal to that of
Pyrethrum powder.
This remedy was also used on Tarnished Plant-bug with the effect of
23479—No, 22——6
82
driving it from the dusted plants, although bugs confined in a box with
it would survive several days.
The little Halticus pallicornis, which was this year very troublesome,
not only in the clover fields and vegetable gardens, on beans, cucumbers,
etc., but was especially destructive to asters, was also routed by having
hig powder puffed on the under side of the earee the young bugs were
killed and the mature ones driven away.
The Dust was further tested on a few late ane Agrotis saucia,
Celena renigera, and some other species which I can not name, but
without much effect, as the powdered worms in the course of an hour
all crawled out of the deep box in which they had been confined and
escaped.
All hairy larve, as inthe case of Pyrethrum, seemed insensible to its
effects, so also did the striped and twelve-spotted cucumber beetles and
other mature Coleoptera and the squash-bug.
There are quite a number of injurious insects on which I did not have
opportunity to use it, and on which I hope to experiment with it another
season.
From my experience with it this season I should rank it among the
second-class insecticides, producing similar effects, but not quite equal
to the California Buhach, but still valuable for use against certain in-
sects on which it is not safe or expedient to employ the arsenates.
NOTES ON PHYLLOXERA RILEYI FOR 1889.
June 15.—Received instructions. through Mr. Howard to coilect and
prepare specimens of Ph. rileyi in all its stages in fluid and in balsam
on microscopic slides.
The post-oaks (Q. obtusiloba), on which the insect chiefly occurs on
the place, were found to be less abundantly infested than during other
years. The first leaves which have attained their growth and are begin-
ning to toughen are, however, considerably speckled with their punct-
ures, especially along the midrib and principal veins. Very few besides
the pale yellow, smooth, elongate forms are noticeable.
Put up a number of infested leaves in alcohol reduced about 60 per
cent. with water. (These I afterwards learned from Mr. Howard did not
keep, the alcohol being perhaps too strong). I also prepared slides.
July 22.—Have just returned from Minnesota. Sent slides on. to
Washington. Examined leaves of post-oak around home, but found no
winged Phylloxera, and very little change in the specimens on the leaves
during the last month.
Among other insects preying on the aphis is Gcanthus latipennis in
noticeable numbers, one or more on the under side of nearly every leaf.
They are now nearly full-grown larve. The puzzle is how they come
to be on the oaks, when I have never found their punctures in the twigs
and when some of the trees are at quite a distance from raspberry or
grape vines, in which they mostly deposit their eggs.
July 29.—After driving about the country in several directions I
—
83 *
found on the roadside about a mile from town some post-oak sprouts
on which Phyllovera abounded in all stages of development. The pale
smooth variety was most numerous on the older and tougher leaves,
while the darker, tubercled larvie and pseudo-pupe and a few winged
specimens crowded the unfolding second growth. The young leaves
were much curled and distorted by their innumerable punctures. The
aphids were preyed upon by the larve of the green Chrysopa and of
one or two small Coccinellids; the deep red larve of asmall Thrips was
especially active and numerous among them, as also was the whitish
gray larva of a small bug (No. 3 of my consignment of October 2).
Put up specimens on slides and sent some alive to Mr. Howard in
tubes ; also some in alcohol. I also placed winged individuals in three
different sizes of tubes and on clean leaves in water in a glass jar.
August 3.—Notwithstanding all my care all the winged lice perished
without leaving any eggs, to my great disappointment. Probably the
extreme heat of the weather was unfavorable. Cleaned and disinfected
my tubes and put in fresh winged forms and closed the tubes with loose
cotton instead of cork to prevent excess of moisture.
August 3.—Another failure. All the specimens dead and molded
and no eggs. I can not understand it.
August 15.—Made another excursion out into the country and suc-
ceeded in obtaining a very few. Nearly all the young oaks so badly
infested two weeks ago are entirely cleared, probably by the migration
of the winged forms and the destruction of eggs and wingless forms by
predatory insects. The tender shoots are also killed and stand up stiff
and dry; the drought being severe, there was no opportunity for them
to recover from the attacks of the aphis.
On the lower mature leaves the insect still abounds in its wingless
forms, mostly the flat, pale, smooth variety. Put seven of the winged
aphis into a very small tube with a bit of mature oak-leaf and closed it
tightly with common cork. (The rubber corks kill all insects inclosed
with them very shortly, probably with their sulphurous emanations.)
Also put about a half dozen on growing sprouts of oak, out of doors,
but which seemed to be entirely free from infection, inclosed under fine
muslin cover.
August 17.—Have at last succeeded in getting nine eggs in the small
tube. These eggs do not differ much from those of the ordinary apter-
ous form. On close comparison they seem rather more opaque and of
a deeper yellow tint than the latter, but even in these particulars. there
is some variation. Each individual produces from one to three eggs;
and usually perishes beside them.
August 21.—Kggs still healthy and beginning to show segmentation
with two red eye-spots on the cephalic end. There is evidently a slip-
ping backward of the thin pellicle that incloses them, although as yet
no motion is discoverable. The eggs were all laid on the glass and not
on the portion of the leaf inclosed with them.
August 22.—Three Phyllovera have hatched from the eggs and one
2
84
has crawled quite a distance. The egg-shells or pellicles are left as an
almost transparent round dot at the place of hatching. Nearly all the
substance of the egg seems to be absorbed into the young aphis. In-
serted a bit of fresh young leaf, but they do not seem to be attracted to
it, and remain crawling on the glass.
August 23.—Two more have hatched. They appear all alike so far as.
can be ascertained with a lens. Three were sacrificed for microscopic
examination. Have the specimens under almost constant observation,
but am not able to find them pairing or exhibiting any sexual attrac-
tion. Neither can [induce them to feed on even the tenderest bits of
leaf. They appear precisely like the parthenogenetic forms through
my lens, which is not sufficiently powerful to resolve the mouth parts
and genitalia.
September 1.—Only two still alive and noeggs. Transferred the sur-
vivors as carefully as possible to fresh leaf and placed in clean tube.
Examined inclosed leaves out of doors but could detect neither eggs
nor larve. It is an almost impossible task to keep track of such micro-
scopic creatures in the open air.
The wingless lice have now become quite abundant on all our post-
oaks. I do not find them on the white oak proper, but as I have ex-
amined them almost daily since the middle of July I am confident that
none of the winged individuals occurred on any of the oaks on the
place. I believe they never do occur in any numbers except on the
more succulent growth of sprouts where living trees have been cut.
‘September 10.—All my progeny of winged lice have perished without
leaving a single egg. Made another excursion into the country but
obtained only two or three winged individuals which I put in tube, but
of which I do not entertain much hope.
On one of the leaves out of doors, isolated about a month ago, I find by
critical examination a very few minute specimens which are probably
the progeny of the winged forms inclosed. Put some in balsam, though
I can not see that they differ from the other wingless young on exposed
leaves.
September 15.—No success with the last inclosure in tube.
October 25.—Have had one or two quite hard frosts. Leaves all
turned in color, and Phylloxera becoming very active, congregating
along principal veins and migrating on to the twigs. Their insect ene-
mies have mostly disappeared and I notice that eggs are more plentiful
than usual on the leaves.
From my observations this year I incline to the opinion that the
winged form is necessary merely for the spread of the species, and that
the young from the eggs of this form are not necessarily true-sexed
individuals, although it is possible that these may occur without any
especial regularity from the eggs of both winged and wingless forms.
Another year, if nothing happens to prevent, I will try to have some
oaks in flower pots for more convenient and natural colonization of the
Phylloxera, and for greater ease in examination.
Ca
bf
REPORT ON CALIFORNIA INSECTS.
3y ALBERT KOEBELE, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
ALAMEDA, CAL. October 25, 1889.
Sir: I herewith submit my report upon observations made and work done since
my return from Australia.
After returning to Alameda on April 15, some time was taken up in writing out
my reports upon work done in Australia, and also in assisting in raising and distrib-
uting in the northern part of this State the Australian Ladybird-enemy of the Icerya.
This Ladybird does remarkably good and speedy work everywhere. As usual my chief
work has been the breeding and studying of all insects, injurious and otherwise, that
have come under my notice, the special notes on which will accompany material that
will be sent in.
Respectfully,
ALBERT KOEBELE.
Prose Vi RILEY,
U.S. Entomologist.
THE MADRONA TREE BORER.
(Polycaon confertus Lec.)
This destructive beetle occurs toa greater or less extent every spring
and summer upon various fruit-trees, vines, ete., boring into the fresh
wood and destroying it. During my stay in the Santa Cruz Mountains
the past summer they were observed everywhere, and most abundantly
during May and June. On any dead tree, as soon as the leaves begin
to fade, this beetle may be found, though always most abundantly upon
the Madrona tree (Arbutus menziesii). Old trees of this species, such as
have been allowed to lay on the ground for a year or two, are always
completely perforated with holes from which these beetles have made
their exit. In cutting through, one finds the wood nothing but mines
produced by the larve, the mines generally running lengthwise, but often
crossing each other. The Madrona tree seems to be the ordinary if not
the only plant in which the beetle breeds. Notwithstanding that the
mature insect bores in almost any kind of fresh wood, and especially
favors such as has been somewhat injured by the hot sun, the larva is
85
86
not, or has never yet been, found in such places. It is the general be-
lief here that it breeds in the wood of Oak, yet, so far as my experience
goes, its larvee are never found in other than the Madrona wood. It is
very remarkable, in view of the above, that they should live and trans-
form within apples from which this beetle has been bred.
On August 2, 1887, at St. Helena, Cal., a large number of the nearly
grown apples upon trees in a private garden were observed to be dead
and yellowish brown. One of these, taken to Alameda and exam-
ined, proved to contain a smail whitish Coleopterous larva. This was
living and thriving on the dead and dry apple until April 16, 1888,
when it transformed to a pupa, from which the mature beetle issued on
April 28. Since then no infested apples have been observed, nor have
I seen any of the large fruit in the condition described above. The
work of these beetles was witnessed in the Santa Cruz Mountains May
25, 1888, chiefly upon grapes and plums, yet they will attack olives and
other trees as well. In many cases the shoots of grapes are cut off
entirely and fall to the ground, where either one or both sexes may be
found at work, In one case I noticed a plum tree the northern branches
of which were entirely destroyed. The beetle will often make several
holes into the center of a branch before entering; no doubt being com-
pelled to leave on account of the copious flow of sap. Seven such holes
were found in one branch, in the lowermost of which the beetle had
entered and formed a tunnel of about 3 inches in length. On the other
branches, aside from the many holes started, but two tunnels were
found and no insects were present. This will show that one of these
beetles alone is capable of disfiguring an entire tree, while two or three
specimens can destroy a tree.
As a remedy, the recommendation of clearing and burning the dead
Madrona wood alone would certainly have a most remarkable effect
in reducing the numbers of this beetle.
(Chrysobothris mali Horn.)
The larva of this Buprestid is very destructive to currant bushes.
It is found in the Santa Cruz Mountains, at least in such numbers as
to destroy all the plants. Indeed, it is impossible to raise this fruit in
that district on account of this insect. They have not been observed
as yet in the valleys, where in their place Ageria tipuliformis Linn. is
more numerously represented upon this plant than in the hills. As
many as fifteen or even twenty Buprestid larvie may be found within a
single plant, the stems of which naturally die and break off near the
ground. The beetle is found most abundantly during June and July,
when they can be seen resting on the plants generally near the ground
during sunshine. It is then that they lay their eggs on the lower part
of the branches and close to the ground where most of the larve are
found. Eggs are also placed at a height of 2 feet, or even more, ac-
cording to the size of the plant, and below the ground to the depth of
87
several inches. Where the larvie are very numerous the plants will die
before the larve are grown, and most of the latter will perish; only
such as are situated near ‘or below the ground will survive. Empty
pup of two species of parasites were observed within the burrows of
the larve, both apparently belonging to the Ichneumonide.
Asaremedy, the collecting of the beetles may be recommended. Dur-
ing early morning and evening they may be found either on the cur-
rant bushes or the surrounding trees, almost always at rest on and
within dry and dead leaves from which they can be shaken into an
umbrella. During their operations upon the plants in the day-time itis
difficult to get near them as they are very quick on the wing and ex-
ceedingly shy. Collecting and burning the infested plants during
winter, and also the whitewashing of lower parts of plants may have a
good effect; this should be done about the end of May.
(Diabrotica soror Lec.)
This beetle occurs occasionally in such numbers as to become ex-
ceedingly destructive to fruits and vegetables. As yet the earlicr stages
have not been studied. All attempts to get eggs and larvie have so
far been a failure on my part as wellas on the part of other entomol-
ogists. A large number of the beetles were kept in confinement for
weeks with various living plants without any results. The larva, without
doubt, will be found to have the same habits as the other species of the
the group,—feeding upon roots of various plants. Fortunately this
insect is preyed upon by a dipterous larva, which without doubt de-
stroys the greater number of them, in certain years at least. As early as
1886, while at Los Angeles, Mr. Alexander Craw, of that city, showed
both Mr. Coquillett and myself the larva infesting this beetle. I did
not succeed in breeding the same until June last, and Mr. Coquillett re-
ports recently of his partial success in this particular.*
THE TENT-CATERPILLARS.
(Clisiocampa spp. )
From year to year these worms become more and more numerous
upon fruit trees. Mr. Stretch in his paper on the genust cites six species
as occurring on this coast,—C. californica Packard, as feeding upon
Quercus agrifolia; C. fragilis, Stretch, from Nevada; C. constricta,
Stretch, on Quercus conomensis; C. strigosa, Siretch, from Yosemite
Valley; C. erosa, Stretch, from Oregon ; and CO. thoracica, Stretch, as
feeding upon Willow. The genus, however, seems to be far more nu-
merously represented. In addition to this I have bred one species from
the Sierra Nevada Mountains upon Ceanothus and wild cherry (Prunus
demissa); 2 second species was found to be very abundant in Los An-
* Insect Life, Vol. II, No. 3, p. 74.
t Papilio, Vol. I, No. 5, pp. 63-69.
88
geles County upon a species of Oak ; a third species was bred in the Santa
Cruz Mountains feeding originally upon Ceanothus thyrsiflorus, but it
was extremely abundant also upon fruit-trees, especially prunes and
plums. J also found eggs of one of these moths in Shasta Valley upon
a species of wild Currant. Of all the species the most abundant upon
fruit-trees was C. thoracica, originally feeding upon Willow. This
species defoliated most of the trees in Napa and Sonoma Counties last
year. On my visit to Sonoma County this month (October), I found
numerous old skins still presént everywhere upon apple trees. They
were either C. thoracica or C. constricta,—these two larvee resembling
each other somewhat. Fortunately the eggs as well as the larvee are
preyed upon by numerous parasites. Professor Rivers, of Berkeley, in-
formed me that of one egg-mass of C. constricta each egg produced a
small hymenopterous parasite. I have myself bred something similar
from egg-masses on Ceanothus cordulatus. The old remedy* will be
found best, viz, cut off and burn the egg-clusters during the winter,
and collect and burn the nests in spring.
CUT WORMS.
Various Noctuid larvee are usually numerous and destructive to
orchards, vineyards, grain, and vegetables during spring, attacking the
young foliage, twigs, and even fruit of trees, while in vineyards they
often defoliate large numbers of the vines. As yet 1 have never been
able to obtain any specimens of these larvee from the injured field for
breeding. Dr. Behr, of San Francisco, has shown me one larva that
had been received from Santa Cruz, where they injure the vines ; he did
not, however, succeed in breeding them and the species is as yet not
known. The larvie bore the closest resemblance to those of Agrotis
messoria Harris (cochranii Riley),t yet many of these Agrotid larve
resemble each other so closely that their distinction can not be made
with any certainty. A similar insect, if not the same, was. bred from
the eggs. (No. 378k). During September and the first of October,
1887, many of these moths came to sugar at Alameda, and were at the
time the most common of all so collected. A number of them were con-
fined in boxes but no eggs could be obtained until the middle of Octo-
ber. The eggs were of a straw-yellow color at first and after ten days
changed to a dark grayish color, showing that the embryo had come to
maturity. The young larvee, however, did not come out before the
rains set in, December 8, at which date they began to issue and con-
tinued to appear into January, 1888. They were kept and fed in a room
and attained full growth in about five weeks, pupating at the end of
March and issuing as moths one month later. This peculiarity of
hibernating either in egg, larva, or pupa state during the dry season
has been observed in numerous other insects in California, which are
*Professor Riley’s Third Missouri Report, p. 120. t Lbid, pp. 74-76,
89
dependént upon such plants as are dried up from July until the rains
set in, generally October or November. I will give here the history of
one of these:
Agrotis crenulata, Smith.—On September 29, 1887, one pair of these
moths was found about 10 p. m. in coitu on the upper side of a leaf of
Quercus agrifolia at Alameda. The female began to lay her eggs the
following day and continued until October 10, after which she died. On
counting it was found that the number of eggs was 1,026. The young
larvie began to issue on October 12. They are, when full grown, very sim-
ilar to those of A. clandestina,* for which they were taken before being
bred. Naturally all such larvae grow very slowly during the winter
months, and reach their full growth about March, when they may be
found most anywhere amongst grass, grain, or vegetables. Their chief
food, however, consists of grasses. From larve that entered the ground
in breeding cages on March 12, the first moth came out on April 16.
In a state of nature it would be about the same probably, allowing for
a week’s variation either way in the appearance of the moths according
to the situation of the chrysalids. The moths are found from April to
July, being most abundant during May and June, at least in localities
where food is sufficient. In the Santa Cruz Mountains they were ob-
- served to appear soon after dark upon the flowers of Wsculus californicus
(Buckeye), and could be seen in numbers every night until the flowers
disappeared ; in other localities, where flowers and natural food are not
so abundant, they may retire sooner into their hibernating quarters.
During June, 1886, I found them very abundant in a deep, shady canon
in Los Angeles County, amongst leaves, flying up at my approach and
settling down a short distance off. On my visit to the same locality
one month later not one moth was seen on the wing. But if at this
time one searches closer down amongst the dead and damp leaves they
will be found in a semi-dormant state. After being exposed :a short
time they soon fly off to a dark corner and disappear again. In such
condition they were observed all last summer in the Santa Cruz Mount-
ains. In open country, distant from woods, they may occasionally be
found hidden under or between boards or ijn old stumps, rubbish, ete.
They preter, however, to hide in the woods amid the dead leaves found
there. As in other parts the warm rays of the sun in the spring awaken
many of the hibernating insects, so here the first rains in fall will do
the same, especially with the Noctuide.
NOTES ON THE HABITS OF THE CODLING MOTH AND ITS ENEMIES
AND PARASITES IN CALIFORNIA.
During my repeated visits to the Santa Cruz Mountains the past sum-
mer some observations were made upon the Codling Moth and its ene-
mies which may be of interest. The moth as a rule is double-brooded
in that locality, and no doubt will not differ in its habits to any extent
* Professor Riley’s First Missouri Report, p. 79.
90
throughout California. They may appear somewhat earlier in the val-
leys. From dates noted in 1887 some of the moths were out on April
22 at Santa Clara, and one larva found then did not produce the moth
until May 10. Two days after this they were also observed flying at
Alameda. One larva found under bark of pear tree at Los Angeles on
July 19, 1886, and evidently of the first brood, did not produce the moth
until the end of April the following year. During August, 1887, the
moths were abundant at Alameda; on the 2d of the month a cocoon
was found about 8 feet from the trunk of the tree, under a fallen
apple, from which the larva had issued. The moth from this appeared
on the 13th of the same month. Two days later, on a hot and sunny
day, while walking through an old apple orchard at 10 p. m., moths
started up either from the trunk or lower leaves of nearly every tree
and settled down again, generally higher up and on the upper side of
leaves exposed to the sun.
Larvie and chrysalids were found in abundance the same day, and
from one of the latter a parasite issued on August 26. This proved to
be Pimpla annulipes. Up to September 17 moths issued from the chrys-
alids; one larva that pupated during this month did not, however, pro-
duce the moth until December 10. During 1888 the first moth was ob-
served at Alameda as early as March 17, sitting on the upper side of
an orange leaf exposed to the sun. But very few of the apple trees
were in bloom at this time. Two days later moths began to issue in the
house from larvee collected the previous December. Several issued up
to March 28. The present season the moths were not observed in any
numbers before May 25 in the Santa Cruz Mountains. The fruit at this
time was about 1 inch in diameter. From this date on until the end of
June there could be seen at dusk from 25 to 50 on each tree. The
place is situated on the east side of the hills. About a half hour after
the sun disappeared behind the mountains, and while it was yet visi-
ble for nearly that length of time on the opposite hills, the moths be-
gan to appear, flying with quick movements around the trees, chiefly
near the top, and settling down again upon the leaves or fruit from
time to time. This was kept up until towards dark when they became
less numerous. During this time both sexes may be readily collected
with a long butterfly-net. I have taken many near the ground on the
lower leaves and often distant from fruit trees. By their peculiar flight
they are easily distinguished from any other species of moths.
About the middle of August, at which time some of the fruit had
already been taken off, thesecond brood made its appearance, yet at this
time many larvie could still be found within the infested fruit, and from
material collected then and taken to Alameda, moths came out in num-
bers until September 12. I was informed that Bartlett pears taken
from the trees when the second brood had made its appearance were
all sound, not one in twenty being wormy. On examination, however,
I found the opposite to be the ease. About one pear in twenty only was
> 58)
o
found without any eggs or traces of young larve of Carpocapsa, the
second brood having already begun its destructive work. From these
few notes it is evident that with a little care early fruit can be kept
almost free from the attacks of the worms, while with later sorts this
becomes more difficult, and such fruit generally is rendered useless by
the attacks of the second brood, and is fed to pigs.
Enemies.—Enemies of the Codling Moth appear to be quite abundant
in California already. I have indeed been surprised in finding minute
Chalcids infesting the eggs.* These are not numerous, and had not |
been observed on eggs of the first brood, yet they may have been pres-
ent. In fourteen boxes of Bartlett pears examined on August 20 and
21, about seventy parasitized eggs were found, and about an equal
number from which the parasites had issued; no doubt some were over-
looked. But few of the pears showed traces of worms of the first brood,
yet nearly all contained eggs of the second brood and very often more
than one. As many as eleven eggs were found upon a single pear.
One was found on the stem, six on the pear surrounding the stem, two
on the upper half and the other two near the calyx. Of these, two con-
tained parasites, one of which had issued, two were still fresh, and the
rest had hatched. Ishould note here that the pears had been taken off
three days previously. In other pears with less eggs, as many as three
and even four young larve were found. The eggs found upon pears
were most numerous near the stem, the others almost invariably on the
upper surface of fruit, and but very few on the lower part or calyx. It
was also observed that the young larve very rarely enter the fruit
where an egg is deposited, but generally somewhat lower down, and in
. many instances instead of going to the center they leave their first mine
after a few days and enter at the open calyx. On apples it appears
they will oftener enter the fruit from the sides.
Many of the eggs of the first brood were destroyed by some enemy,
what I could not learn. They had a brownish and shrunken appearance,
and it is probable that they were destroyed by the Chrysopa larve,
which were present in numbers upon the trees at the time. With the
exception of these and the Coccinellid larvz no other insects were ob-
served in numbers likely to destroy the eggs. This*was not observed
to be the case with eggs of the second brood, at which time the pre-
daceous larvee mentioned had disappeared. The other three parasites
bred during the summer are all from the chrysalids. The most efficient
destroyer of Carpocapsa, however, is a small bat which is always in
search of the moths, appearing somewhat later than the latter, but
keeping up its chase until dark, when apparently the moths cease their
flight and the bats go off in search of other food. Every night during
June as many as six of these bats were to be seen flying around an
isolated apple tree upon which there were a large number of the moths,
not only taking the Carpocapsa on the wing, but very often darting at a
*This parasite is a species of the genus Trichogramma.—C. V. Rh.
92
leaf to get the resting moth. Of not less value is the larva of a Neu-
ropterous insect, a Raphidia, which is present in numbers. Its long
and flat structure together with its activeness enables it to hunt up any
larva that may be present under bark or in crevices of the tree.
Not only is the larva devoured but the chrysalis likewise, and with-
out doubt often the mature moth. It was indeed very hard work to
find any larve or pups of Carpocapsa upon trees where the larvee of
Raphidia were present, and the latter occurred upon nearly every tree.
As arule, not more two or three could be found upon one tree by break-
ing off all the loose bark and examining the crevices, and often none at
all. These larvee are always on the lookout for food, crawling up aud
down the trees, but being chiefly concealed by the bark. Away from
the trunk of the tree, however, more larve are found. An old and partly
decayed stump or piece of wood lying anywhere near an infested tree will
always be full of them; and, as has before been pointed out, many of
the larvie of the first brood, at least, spin up in the dry ground. I will
again refer to the Dermestid larve mentioned before, not only as de-
stroying the pupa of Carpocapsa but likewise the larva, during the
summer season at least. Many apparently sound cocoons when cut
open will be shown to contain larve and skins of some of these beetles.
The contents have been devoured while there is no visible hole in the
cocoon, showing that the larva had entered while young. This alone
would not be sufficient evidence, but I have also found small larvee of
Trogoderma tarsale within the cocoons, and with the larve, dead and
living, of Carpocapsa.
In two instances the half dead Carpocapsa larvee showed small holes
in their sides which had partly healed up. These no doubt were made ,
by the Dermestid larvie, which as a rule feed upon dry insect remains,
and only kill living larvie gradually by feeding upon the skin only at
first. In many cases they were found with larve that had recently
died, having already undergone several molts within the cocoons of the
last larvee. They are very abundant, especially around Alameda, as
many as four or five large larvee being often found within the cocoon and
feeding upon the dead pupa of Leucarctia acrewa. In almost any old
egg-mass of Orgy.ia they are found. Whether they will feed upon the
eggs or not I have as yet no evidence. Insect collections are not as
much troubled by these beetles in California, especially in the valleys,
as in the Eastern States. I have often observed them, however, to in-
fest collections in the mountainous districts. A coleopterous (Clerid ”)
larva was recently found in the Sonoma Valley feeding upon Carpo-
capsa, but has not yet been bred. Numerous Carabid beetles were
always found at the base of trees awaiting their chance to get a bite at
the Carpocapsa larve. The most numerous of these were Pterostichus
californicus Dej. and Calathus ruficollis Dej. A bright light with a
white sheet below and behind was kept burning near the orchard in the
Santa Cruz Mountains while the moths were abundant. One female
Jd
only was caught in this about one hour after dusk. Never before dur-
ing my fourteen years of collecting moths with lights, sweeps, ete.,
have I, within my memory, collected a single Carpocapsa.
THE HESSIAN FLY.
(Cecidomyia destructor.)
This insect has been quite abundant and destructive to grain in the
central part of the State during the season. A Mt. Kden correspond-
ent wrote to the Oakland Engineer, May 2, as follows:
The Hessian fly has done irreparable damage to the grain in this vicinity. There
has been hardly a field that has not been attacked. The prospect for a large barley
crop is very good. The wheat crop will be a comparative failure. What is left from
the Hessian fly is being destroyed by the rust.
Personally, until this spring, I have had no opportunity of making
any observations upon this insect. On May 26, while in the Santa
Cruz Mountains, it was noticed that some of the barley had fallen
to the ground. On examination, puparia of the Hessian fly were found
in places where thestraw was fallen. The insect was found at the time
in all stages from young larvze to puparia, and some of the latter had re-
cently hatched. From puparia collected at the time, flies made their
appearance until the beginning of July. Other puparia coilected
about July 1 have not hatched up to date, and the insects are still in
the larval state within the puparia. A few specimens of parasites
(Merisus destructor) were bred from these, and from the same straws
several specimens of an Jsosoma.
During September, 1887, I found puparia, which I took to be those of
the Hessian fly, on two species of grasses near here. These were for-
warded to Washington, where they arrived in good condition, as stated
in letter of October 3d, and the grasses were determined as Hlymus
americanus and Agrostis sp. Again during the summer I found the
puparia upon several species of grasses in the Santa Cruz Mountains.
I shall be prepared next season to give a list of grasses upon which the
Hessian fly is found, and also more accurate notes as to the habits of
this insect, which, as it would appear, is a very old resident of this coast.
JOINT-WORMS.
(Isosoma sp.)
These insects have been abundant and destructive in most wheat-
growing sections, and they will continue to be numerous until stricter
measures are employed for burning the straw and stubble.
LOCUSTS.
These did not appear in any large numbers except in the northern
part of the State and, from some accounts, in Oregon. On my visit to
Shasta Valley, Siskiyou County, at the end of July, locusts were no-
94
ticed in large numbers north of Edgewood and throughout that valley.
At Montague I was informed that, on account of the unusually dry sea-
son and the crickets and grasshoppers, the crop had been an entire
failure in that district. Around this latter place no vegetation except
a few sage-bushes were visible. Along the creeks, where a little grass
and vegetation was still growing, the locusts were swarming. Dissos-
teira obliterata Thos. was abundant throughout the valley. Even in
places where for a half a mile not a shrub or any dry plant was visible
they appeared to be happy, but were seen abundantly along water-
courses and places still affording some food. Melanoplus cinereus Seudd.
was more numerously represented in places where food was still to be
had, even if dry. But few specimems of M. femur-rubrum DeGeer
were seen, while M. packardii Scudd. was the most abundant of all,
feeding upon grasses along streams, and in all the meadows, where it
outnumbers ail the other species put together. Here they were often
observed, always the female, caught in the web of a largespider, which
* feeds upon them.
M. devastator Scudd. was not met with throughout the summer, while
Camnula pellucida Scudd. was only seen occasionally in the places vis-
ited. Another numerous species in the Shasta Valley was Hesperotettix
pacificus Bruner, but this was found feeding upon sage-bushes only.
About eight other species of locusts were found at Montague, of which
Dissosteira carolina Linn., Trimerotropis fallax Sauss., Conozora wal-
lula Scudd., and Stenobothrus coloradus Thos., were the most abundant.
Two species of large crickets have been very numerous at Montague
also joining in the destructive work—Anabrus simplex (?) Hald., and the
other a species of Steirovis. The common cricket, Gryllus luctuosus
Serv., was abundant in the central part of the State, often coming in
large numbers into cities and into houses.
REPORT ON NEBRASKA INSECTS.
By LAWRENCE BRUNER, Special Agent.
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
LINCOLN, NEBR., Nor. 20, 1889.
Sir: In presenting a report on the insect injuries in Nebraska for the past spring
aud summer, if isnot my intention to mention all the species that have been observed
in the act of depredating. Neither do I expect to enter upon a discussion of their
life histories. To do this would require altogether too much time and occupy con-
siderable more space than could be allotted to such insects as have been repeatedly
described in your various reports upon injurious insects. Suffice 1t, then, for me to
mention briefly a few of the species that most attracted my attention, either by their
appearance in unusual numbers, their more than ordinary injuries, or by their pecul-
iar mode of attack.
During the year most of the well-known species that are always present in more or
less injurious numbers, were noticed at their regular seasons of appearance. These
were, of course, expected; and, unless either very numerous or scarce, were but little
noticed. Aside from these, few new or original observations were made during the
active season; but several new enemies were observed to act in connection with old
and well-known forms.
Since my last report, some time has been devoted to the Acridide@ of North America,
in the continuance of our work upon that family of the order Orthoptera. The latter
work was chiefly in the line of looking up the matter of distribution, the character-
izing of new material, and the massing of such additional species as could conven-
iently be obtained without expense to the Department. Some little was also done in
this connection in the study of several minor locust outbreaks in different parts of
the country, as, for example, in Utah, Minnesota, and the White Mountain district of
the New England States. Of these different outbreaks you already have been ad-
vised; Mr. Otto Lugger, of the Minnesota Experiment Station, reporting on that of
his State; Mr. C. L. Marlatt, that of New Hampshire, and myself upon that of Utah.
LAWRENCE BRUNER.
Prof C2 Ve RILEY,
U. S. Entomologist.
FALSE CHINCH BUGS.
Karly in the year, during the month of May, two or threespecies of small
hemipterous insects began to gather upon several farms just outside
the city limits of Lincoln. These appeared in much larger numbers
than is usual for the insects under consideration ; and from their size,
99
96
order, and general appearance were mistaken for the chinch-bug (Miecro-
pus leucopterus) by many of the residents. This mistaken identity in
the case of thesé insects was the occasion for much apprehension, as it
well might have been had that insect put in its appearance in such
great numbers so early in the year. These “false chinch-bugs,” for
such they were, began work by attacking the weeds and everything
else that was green growing in the fields which were infested. The
weeds soon disappeared and the insects transferred their attention
to apple, catalpa, mulberry, and other small trees. But by far the great-
est injury was done to grape-vines. They were all small, and were kept
divested of every vestige of new growth for a time, and looked as if
the vines never would be green.
The three insects which united in these demonstrations were the fol-
lowing: the False Chinch-bug (Nysius angustatus), the Purslane bug
(Geocoris bullata), and a species that is quite common here in the West
among various rank-growing herbs and weed-like plants, and is known
to the entomologist as’ Trapezonotus nebulosus.
The first named of these was by far the most numerous, and if work-
ing singly would have occasioned nearly the same amount of damage
as did the three. The second and the last named were present in
nearly equal numbers, perhaps the last being the commoner of the two.
All three species gathered upon the main stems and larger branches of
the trees and even in clusters upon the scattered remnants of the last
year’s vegetation. They were pretty well scattered over the fields, but
appeared to be most numerous upon some hill-slopes where they had
been attracted during early spring and late fall by the warm sunshine.
These clusters of bugs were composed of individuals of all ages and
sizes, ranging from those apparently but a few days old to those fully
matured and winged. An investigation soon disclosed the reason for
their abundance in this particular locality. Last year these fields had
been permitted to grow up in weeds after the spring cultivation. These
weeds, purslane, tickle-grass, stink-grass, and tumble-weeds, made a
splendid retreat for the bugs to gather, feed, and breed in, and afterwards
to winterin. The present spring being dry weeds and grasses were slow
in starting. Not so with the bugs. Eggs were laid at the usual time,
these hatched and the little bugs soon exhausted what green vegeta-
tion there was for them to feed upon, and which was very slow in ap-
pearing on account of lack of the necessary amount of moisture. The
trees and vines being deeper rooted sent out their buds and green leaves.
These attracted the hungry hordes of bugs, and were at once attacked
in bud, leaf, and stem, the bugs inserting their beaks and extracting
the sap. The consequence was the injury spoken of above.
As a remedy against the destruction of the grape-vines I suggested
covering the vines, which were small ones, with dirt fora week or ten
days until weeds had an opportunity to grow, after which time there
would no longer be danger, andas a preventive for the future to keep
down the weeds in late summer, especially when the season is a dry one.
4
97
In habit these three bugs resemble the Chinch Bug to a considerable
degree, only that they are earlier in their egg-laying, and that their
food-plants are weeds and other herbaceous plants, rather than grasses.
They also move about on the wing in a similar manner to that of the
Micropus leucopterus. Last spring, on one day in particular, the air was
full of these and other small hemipterous insects. At just what date
this flight occurred I do not remember now, but know it was during the
month of May.
The three species referred to above in connection with the injuries
recorded, all oceur upon ground that has been neglected and allowed
to.grow up to purslane and Amaranthus. The two latter named are
also occasionally found about smart-weed (Polygonum) during late
summer and fall, while the first mentioned is also inclined to be par-
tial to “stink” grass at times.
CUT-WORMS.
Scarcely a year passes without a report of damages from cut-worms
in various parts of the country. Here in Nebraska quite a large num-
ber of the night-flying moths belonging to the genera Agrotis, Hadena,
Mamestra, ete., are often the cause of much worry and not infrequently
the loss of much time and money to the farmer and gardener.
At about the same time that the bugs mentioned above were the most
plentiful and doing their injury to trees, vines, etc., the reports of cut-
worm depredations began coming in to the station from various districts
within and without the city limits. These reports included injuries to
both garden and field crops, and from the fact that they were received
from widely separated localities, the pest was quite general over the
eastern part of the State. Specimens of at least a half dozen distinct
species of the worms were received by me, along with the statement
that they were the authors of the injury. Among these I recognized
Agrotis annexa, A. suffusa, A. messoria, A. saucia, and A. clandestina.
So abundant were several species of these worms that they literally
cultivated the ground at places where they burrowed during day:
time. Nor did the worms content themselves with feeding upon culti-
vated plants alone, but also, in many instances, kept down the weeds.
Here in the city of Lincoln, upon a vacant square that had been used
by the boysas a base-ball ground, and where the ordinary “ pepper-grass”
was growing in profusion, the Agrotis anneva finally succeeded in clear-
ing the ground of this weed. So voracious did the worms become be-
fore maturity that the pepper-grass was even cut off and the stems
drawn into their retreats in the ground, where they might be devoured
during day-time. On cloudy days the worms even ventured forth
to feed openly by daylight, scurrying back into their holes when the sun
came out fora moment. In the hard trampled ground their holes were
smooth-cut and presented a very interesting sight indeed when the occu-
pants issued forth and quickly returned upon the least disturbance, like
23479—No, 22 7
98
some animal of greater intelligence. The larva of this particular spe-
cies of Agrotis is exceedingly active, reminding one not a little of some
of the chipmunks among the rodents.
A second species that much interested meis the larva of an Agrotis sp.
that was exceedingly numerous upon the college farm and adjoining tracts
to the eastward of the city. This latter worm worked on various plants
in the garden, but on the farm showed decided taste for clover. Here
it literally “lived in clover” in large numbers. - The different kinds of
clover growing in the experimental plats suffered much. It was here
that one of the instances above cited of cut-worms cultivating the soil
occurred. ;
The remedies used against these different cut-worms varied somewhat
in their character; but they were chiefly hand picked orcrushed. Many
of the worms also perished from the attacks of predaceous beetles either
in the larval or imago stages, and of parasites of one or another sort.
A few of them also from diseases that resulted from the presence of
fungi or bacteria. The parasitized worms were the result of the eggs
laid by Tachina flies in most cases. The A. anneva larve suffered most
in this respect, on account of their habit of coming out to feed during
the day-time.
ARMY-WORM.
As the State grows older in its settlement the reports of Army-worm
depredations become more frequent year by year. Last year Lreported
the appearance and damage by this insect in the extreme northwestern
part of Nebraska, as well as in portions of southwestern Dakota.
During the present year several localities in northeastern Nebraska
were overrun to a limited extent by the larve of Leucania unipuncta,
None of these areas infested were of very great extent, nor was the
injury committed complete in any of the cases coming to my notice.
Millet and oat fields were the chief sufferers.
A small black fly was bred from larvie received from Mr. J. M. Sey-
more, of Pender, Thurston County. This fly has frequently been ob-
served by me at various points in northern Nebraska, where I have
taken it in my net when sweeping for other insects on the prairie. It
must be a regular enemy of Leucania unipuncta, and perhaps also of
other allied species, since it is by no means an uncommon insect every
year. Others of the flesh-flies (Tachinide) also act as guards against
this insect’s rapid increase, as can readily be seen from the fact that
many of the larvee taken have the eggs of these flies attached to their
bodies.
Visiting again this year the region last year reported to you as hav-
ing the insect present in injurious numbers I was pleased to find that
the Leucania had not appeared in numbers sufficiently great to attract
the attention of those persons who lost crops by their depredations last
year. In fact I am pretty confident in asserting that there are no
grounds for fearing this insect next year, in the State of Nebraska at
least.
99
THE GREEN-LINED MAPLE-WORM.
For the third time, now, many of our soft-maple trees in the city of
Lincoln have been entirely defoliated by the larvee of Anisota rubicunda,
This insect has been steadily increasing for the past three years, and
if it does not‘soon die off by some epidemic disease or is killed by para-
sites the growing of this tree will be very difficult. This state of
affairs is due entirely to the negligence of our citizens in general, who, it
appears, can not be induced to spend the little time necessary for the
destruction of insect pests that attack their shade trees, garden and
farm produce, and flowering plants. The entomologist can not kill all
the insects, good and bad, in the country; neither are his words of
advice heeded in the least when he tells how each insect enemy is to be
gotten rid of by means of the least labor and expense to those who
should be most interested.
THE BLUE-GRASS WEEVIL.
For the past two years Sphenophorus parvulus Gyll. has been in-
creasing quite rapidly in numbers, so that now it has come to be one of
our commonest beetles in the city of Lincoln, at least, if not elsewhere.
From the fact of its frequenting sidewalks, or being concealed under
boards, sticks, and stones that were left lying about on the University
campus, and on lawns elsewhere in the city, I began an investigation as
to its probable breeding place. This study has led to the discovery of
its feeding upon the roots of the common blue-grass (Poa pratensis).
So plentiful has the insect become in some lawns that the sod has been
entirely killed over large patches.
The larva is a short, thick, whitish grub, like those of other species
of the genus, and measures from 4 to 5 millimeters in length when fully
matured. The beetles appear twice a year, 7. ¢.,in the spring and early
fall, the insect probably being double-brooded. Some of the beetles
may come out in fall, while the remainder may lie over winter as pupe.
The fully matured larve were found early in June, while others were
observed last October. Damp and well-watered lawns appear to be in-
fested fully as badly, if not worse, that those that are dryer, although
they do not show the injury nearly so quickly in the former as in the
latter case.
While looking for larve during the latter part of last May, numerous
specimens of a small white ‘“ hair-worm” Mermis or Gordius, or some
allied genus, were found scattered through the soil. These were only
obtained at very damp places under trees on the University campus,
and as a rule were tightly coiled. Whether these would have or had
been in any way connected with the Sphenophorus larve, I do not know,
as I am not sufficiently well acquainted with these forms nor with their
life-histories. Various ground-beetles (Carabide) and their larve cer-
tainly do devour the larvze of Sphenophorus, since the former were also
quite common in the localities where the latter abounded. No experi-
100
ments were carried on with a view to finding a remedy against the in-
juries of this weevil.
THE CORN ROOT-WORM.
(Diabrotica longicornis.)
This insect is becoming alarmingly common in the counties of eastern
Nebraska and those of western Iowa; and, judging from the general
food habits which the imago appears to be developing, it may soon be-
come a much more dangerous pest than we at presentimagine. During
the past summer and fall the beetle has been almost omnipresent, so
common was it in the vicinity of Lincoln. It was found upon a large
variety of plants belonging to different orders. It was beaten from
trees such as maple, box-elder, elm, ash, willow, cotton-wood, and oak.
I found it rather common among the grasses and obtained it in plenty
in gardens where it was feeding upon the leaves of radishes and
turnips, in several instances completely riddling these latter with holes.
As late as September 28, the beetle was still quite active during day-
time, aud quickly took to flight upon being disturbed. In August it
was observed to be nocturnal in its movements, as was to be seen by
the large numbers of the beetles that were attracted to and gathered
about the electric lights. On the morning of the 15th, 260 specimens
of the beetle were taken from the globe of a single are light that hangs
in front of University Hall upon the campus of the State University.
These had all been attracted to and caught in the globe in a single
night. Whether or not these came from the farms in the surrounding
country I can not say. Might not the species work in the roots (for
the larva is a root-borer) of some other plant or plants beside corn?
At any rate it is my present intention to look into the life-history of the
Corn Root-worm a little more closely during next season. It is getting
to be by far too common an insect in these parts for us to be running
chances in dealing with it. Rotation of crops may or may not always
prove to be a remedy against its depredations.
INSECTS DETRIMENTAL TO THE GROWTH OF YOUNG TREES ON “ TREE
CLAIMS” IN NEBRASKA AND OTHER PORTIONS OF THE WEST.
For several years now I have been interested in the study of the insect
pests that render the growing of young trees upon claims entered under
the “timber-culture act” quite a difficult and tedious matter. This
interest in the subject had its origin partly in personal experience and
partly from the numerous complaints of others who have experienced
great difficulty in securing a sufficient growth in their young timber
within the limitations for making final proof. Not infrequently has it
been the misfortune for those striving to gain titles to Government lands
under this act to have their trees completely defoliated for several
years in succession. Nor have these injuries been confined to any single
kind of tree, Since commencing the study of the subject I have either
101
seen or heard of all of the following species suffering alike from this
cause: Ash, Box Elder, Soft Maple, Cottonwood, and Willow. The
honey locust, too, has been subject to defoliation by insect enemies when
growing as hedges upon the uplands of the semi-arid regions west of
the 97th meridian. Some of these trees thus attacked were killed out-
right, while others were set back a year or more by each defoliation.
Several different lines of investigation have been followed in the
study of this subject, viz, the comparative freedom from insect attack
of the various kinds of trees; the influence of topography upon the
growth of each kind of tree, as well as upon the increase and develop-
ment of the insect life thriving upon the tree; also the comparative
abundance or absence of birds and parasitic insects in the different
regions, and what relation these bear to insect depredations. Of course,
when fully carried out in the several lines indicated above, the investi-
gation of such a subject can not fail to be quite extensive and result in
some good to the parties most concerned. For the present paper, how-
ever, only a few of the most important of these insect enemies will be
mentioned, and then only cursorily. Of these there are about thirty
species belonging to the orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera,
Orthoptera, and Hemiptera. Most of these insects that I wish to call
attention to are quite general in their distribution, and therefore as
well known to you as they are to those living in the “ tree-claim”
region. My report will then simply consist of a statement as to their
abundance, distribution, and the amount of injury done by each species.
To do this the following table will best express my wishes and at the
same time be least cumbersome. All of the species therein mentioned
have been either observed by myself or were reported by others as
occurring in injurious numbers during different seasons upon tree-
claims located in Nebraska, Kansas, and Dakota.
Insect. Tree. Insect. Tree.
HYMENOPTERA. | Cressonia juglandis A. & | Walnut.
se
Cimbex americana Leach .| Willows. Clisiocampa americana | Most kinds.
Monophadnus barda Say --| Ash. Harr.
Clisiocampa sylvatica Do.
COLEOPTERA. Harr.
Datana angusii G. & R.| Black Walnut.
Lina seripta Fab........-. Willow and Cotton- || Anisota rubicunda Fab -.| Soft Maple.
wood. | Hyphantria cunea Drury) All kinds.
Chrysomela sp ..---------. Do. | Apatela populi Riley..--. On Cottonwood.
Disonycha pennsylwanica | Willow. : DORE cost seen Willow.
Ill. 1p cenacosasecboocee Maple, Box Elder.
Chrysobothris femorata | Box Elder and Maple. || Tortricid (——-) ...-...-- Honey Locust,
Fab. I SDRUNG sone scissile asim Ash.
Lachnosterna(several spe- | All kinds. DOpet ses ceiteces oe ee Elm.
cies). | Tortricid (———) ...------ Boring twigs of Hack-
Epicauta cinerea Forst..-.| Honey Locust, Coffee berry, Box Elder.
Bean. ORTHOPTERA.
LEPIDOPTERA. :
| @eanthus niveus Serv .-.| Stems of various trees,
Papilio turnus Linn ...... Ash. | Ueanthus latipennis Ri- | Stems not so common.
Vanessa antiopa Linn ....| Willow, Elm. ley.
Platysamia eecropia Linn | Maple, Willow, Box || Melanoplus spretus Thos
Elder, ete. | Melanoplus femur-rub- | Foliage of all when
Telea polyphemus Cramer | Maple, Elm, Box El- rum DeGeer. numerous.
der, ete. Melanoplus differentialis
Triptogon modesta A. & S. | Willow, Cottonwood. Thos.
102
Almost all of the above named insects are sufficiently numerous at
times, when working alone, to kill or at least to greatly retard the
growth of the tree or trees upon which they feed. Of course, they do
not all occur at once in any given locality in such overwhelming num-
bers, nor are the injuries the same every year; but quite frequently
two or more of the species are found feeding in company upon the same
tree in numbers sufficiently greatto do harm. In addition to the species
named above there are a great many others that are also known to at-
tack and injure the trees growing upon tree-claims; but these latter
have not yet made their presence so strongly felt as to force us to place
them on the list of insect pests in connection with tree-claim culture.
For a description and life history of many of these the reader is referred
to Bulletin No. 7 of the United States Entomological Commission, en-
titled ‘ Insects Injurious to Forest and Shade Trees.”
Causes for these Insect Injuries.—There is a cause for everything, so
in the present instance we must look for one or a combination of causes
that work together in producing the undue increase of insect life upon
the prairies when new varieties of plants are introduced. A very
superficial survey of the ground will quickly reveal tous some of these
causes.
In the first place, there are always a few dwarfed trees of most of the
kinds that are usually planted upon claims. These trees are scattered
along the water courses, in ravines and gulches, and afew other localities
that are protected from the fires which have annually swept over the
broad prairies for generations. These few trees furnish food for small
colonies of the various species of insects that we have named. There
are always enough of them to very quickly stock aclaim close by upon
which small trees are planted that are to their taste. Then, too, all of
these injurious insects are of a hardy nature, used to a precarious life,
and are strong fliers capable of making comparatively long journeys in
search of food for themselves and their progeny. They are, in fact, the
nomads of the insect world, capable of withstanding the vicissitudes
belonging to a life upon the vast prairies where the more delicate para-
sitic forms could not live or even find shelter. Then, too, their
requirements for quarters in which to pass the long, cold winter months
are less complex than are those of the species that come later on.
In the second place, the country being destitute of groves of timber
among the branches of which insectivorous birds can find shelter and
build their nests most of these insect destroyers are absent. Of course,
the absence of so great a factor as are these birds in the ridding a
country of its insect pests soon becomes apparent in the increase of the
latter and of the accompanying injury done by them. The absence of
groves, too, not only keeps away the feathered tribe, but also prevents
many of the more delicate parasitic and a large number of the preda-
ceous insects from becoming established in the region. The majority
of these latter forms of insects, as before stated, are such as require
ptii—: ni
103
sheltered retreats in which to lurk or to get away from the hot dry sum-
mers and the long cold winters.
In the third place, the comparative aridity of the region where these
claims are located renders the growth of them somewhat slower than
where the precipitation is more bountiful. This slowness of growth,
while it is an advantage in one respect, aids the insect foes to a con-
derable extent in their work of destruction. A rank and rapid growth
places a tree out of danger from external enemies much more quickly
than will aslow growth. At the same time in rank growth a much
greater amount of food is furnished for the same number of insects,
and as a consequence less injury to the tree results than would were
the growth slower.
A fourth cause for the rapid increase among these different insects
in new regions is the absence of such fungoid diseases as are known to
attack and kill various of these pests. After awhile, however, the
germs of these diseases become diffused through the soil, vegetable
débris, and about the encumbering growths, buildings, etc. These
germs are carried around by the elements and other agencies, and in
time some of them find lodgment within the bodies of such insects as
are susceptible to their growth. The result is disease and death.
Comparative Freedom of different Trees fromthe Attacks of Insect Pests.—
Up to the present writing I have not sufficiently investigated this por-
tion of the subject to be entirely positive in my assertions as to the
kind or kinds of trees most nearly exempt from the attacks of insect
foes in different regions. None of them are entirely free; but that there
are trees which suffer less than others in this respect is a well-known
fact, and can be seen at any time where several kinds are growing side
by side or in the same grove. Again, a particular kind of tree might
be troubled in a given locality, while in another it would be compara-
tively free. Some trees also suffer while small, and others are usually
injured after they have gained considerable growth and age. These
variations with regard to insect attacks among different trees, and of
the same kind at different ages, are governed by laws the explanation
of which would require much more time and space than I have at my
command. By looking over the list of insects mentioned above it will
be seen that no reference is made of any species injuring either the
Catalpa or Russian Mulberry. The Ash is affected by three, each of
which at times strips it of foliage while young; the Box Elder by two
or three; the Willow by a dozen or more; the Cottonwood by four or
five; the Soft-Maple by several; the Elm a couple; the Honey Locust
two, ete.
In treating this subject only such insects have been mentioned as
have been ascertained to attack the various trees during their first few
years of growth, and before they have attained any great size. Other
species of insects injure these trees later on; but, asa rule, these latter
104
are less destructive to them save in a few instances. Only a very few
borers work in healthy young trees in this region.
Remedies tried and suggested.—Only a few remedies have been gener-
ally tried against these pests in the region of tree claims, and most of
these were confined to the various methods of ‘“hand-picking” and
crushing. Spraying and dusting with poisons and kerosene emulsions,
or the use of road dust, ashes, air-slaked lime, ete., have been reported
only ina very few instances. Any or all of these methods of warfare when
properly carried on and used intelligently, in accordance with the habits
of the insect that is being fought, will repay one for the time thus
spent.
LOCUSTS OR GRASSHOPPERS.
Aside from several local outbreaks there has been no special damage
done during the year by locusts within the United States. Of course,
you are already acquainted with the particulars in connection with the
local injuries, of which the chief are the following: The Rocky Mount-
ain or migratory species at Nephi City, Utah; the same in Otter Tail
County, Minnesota; and the lesser and red-thighed species in the mount-
ain districts of the New England States. The Utah outbreak was
partly investigated by me at the time (May) of its occurrence, through
correspondence with the Hon. James B. Darton, of Nephi City. That
gentleman supplied me with specimens at different times from which the
insects under consideration were determined. The conclusions at which
1 then arrived were reported to Mr. Howard in your absence. If I
remember rightly, both the Rocky Mountain (Melanoplus spretus) and
the California locust (Camnula pellucida) were found among the material
received from Mr. Darton. The Otter Tail outbreak has been very care-
fully written up by Mr. Otto Lugger, of the Minnesota Experiment Sta-
tion; while Mr.C. L. Marlatt, of the Entomological Division, has reported
on the New England outbreak.
While it is not my intention to devote much time to the subject of
locust abundance and injuries, I do wish to say a few words concerning
the fungoid disease known as Entomophthora caloptent of Bessey. Dur-
ing the present summer this disease has been unusually abundant in
and around the city of Lincoln, Nebr. Several species o1 our native
locusts were attacked by it; but the large yellow one, known as the
Melanoplus differentialis Thomas, was destroyed by the thousands.
Whether the fungus in question was more plentiful than usual, and
did its work of extermination more effectually than during previous
summers; or, whether it was on account of my being surrounded by a
number of students in botany, and located next door to the botanical
laboratory, that attracted my attention to these, 1 do not know. The
impression is, however, that the former is the true explanation. On
the University campus alone, where differentialis hatehed quite plen-
tifully and began doing considerable injury to various small trees and
105
shrubs, there must have been several thousands of the hoppers destroyed
by the disease. Soon after the locusts became fledged some of them
were observed to die after first showing signs of disease. After the
disease first became apparent among the locusts, it spread, or at least
appeared in other portions of the city, the number of dead and dying
locusts increasing daily. So fatal did the disease finally become upon
the University campus that but few of the differentialis escaped to
deposit eggs. I know that three or four of the botanical students each
collected the dead locusts by the-chalk-box full to use as specimens in
their line of work, and for exchange, while I gathered many of them
myself. During the latter half of August, and early in September, at
almost any time one might have secured from fifty to a hundred or
more specimens of the dead locusts in a few moments, by simply going
outside of the science hall a few yards.
So rapid was the final action of the Hntomophthora (or Empusa, as it
has more recently been called) that not infrequently the locusts were
found still in copulation, one or the other of the sex being dead. When
they were found in this condition, the female, though not always, was
the first to succumb. This would not, however, prove anything as to
the comparative fatality of the disease as far as the different sexes are
concerned. There are other matters to be taken into consideration be-
fore we can come to a definite solution of comparative immunity from
attacks upon the different sexes of an insect by a disease like the present.
Just how long a time is required for the full development of the
fungus after an insect is first attacked I am not prepared to state;
neither can I give an account of the various stages through which the
fungus passes during this development from the original spore to the
stage where such spores are reproduced. Nor am f posted as to all
symptoms present during the different stages of the disease occasioned
by the fungus within the tissues of a living locust. All that I know
is, that shortly before death the stricken hopper climbs up some stick,
weed, or blade of grass, to which it clings frantically with its anterior
and middle pairs of legs. When found dead these always have their
head uppermost.
Whether or not invariably fatal I can not say; and imagine that to
ascertain this would be noeasy task. Iam also quite ignorant in refer-
ence to its capability of being artificially spread, since I have had no
opportunity to experiment in that direction. Besides, the disease does
not appear to be common to all species of locusts alike; or if it is, we
do not know it. The subject will bear a much more careful study than
has thus far been devoted to it. From an economic standpoint there is
still a great deul to be learned concerning insect-attacking fungi, as a
few recent experiments in this line clearly demonstrate.
Before leaving the subject of this locust-destroying fungus I wish to
add the following notes, prepared for the present paper at my request
106
by Prof. C. E. Bessey. They will show the most recent views of bota-
nists as to the systematic position of the plant in question :
Entomophthora calopteni Bessey.—The original description of this species appeared
inthe American Naturalist for December, 1883 (page 1280). Itis reproduced here
verbatim:
““T. Empusa stage, not seen.
“II. Tarichium stage : Oospores globular, or from pressure somewhat irregular in
outline, colorless, 36 to 39. in diameter; walls thick (4.), colorless, smooth ; pro-
toplasm granular, after as if composed of many small cells, often with a large round
vacuole. Occurring as a clay-colored mass {n the body cavity and femora of Calop-
tenus differentialis.
“Ames, Iowa, August and September, 1883.”
Specimens of this fungus collected in Wisconsin by Trelease and Seymour were
distributed under the name given above by Ellis and Everhart in North American
Fungi, No.1801. In April, 1888, Mr. Roland Thaxter published, in the Memoirs of
the Boston Society of Natural History, an important paper on The Entomophthorx
of the United States, in which he revises the species of the group, and adopts the
older generic name Lmpusa, first proposed by Cohn in 1855, in preferenceto Ento-
mophthora proposed by Fresenius in 1856. Moreover, Mr. Thaxter concludes that the
fungus described above is identical with one described as Entomophthora grylli, by
Fresenius, in 1856. Specimens of this species were distributed in 1885 by Dr. Farlow,
in Ellis’ North American Fungi, No. 1401. Our species thus appeared in Mr. Thaxter’s
paper under the name of Hmpusa grylli (Fres.) Nowakowski.
——— ss
Mgeria tipuliformis, 86.
JEsculus californicus, 89.
Agallia flaccida, 29.
4-punctata, 28.
sanguinolenta, 29.
Agriotes mancus, 51.
Agrostis, 93.
Agrotis annexa, 97.
clandestina, 89, 97.
cochranii, 88.
crenulata, life-history of, 89.
herilis, 43.
messoria, 88, 97.
saucia, 82, 97.
suffusa, 97.
Atlotria tritici, 71.
Allygus irroratus, 30.
Amaranthus, 97.
Anabrus simplex, 94.
Andropogon divisitiflorus, 59.
Anisopteryx vernata, 74.
Anisota rubicunda, 99, 101.
Anowala varians, 51.
Anthrax parasitic on Agrotis herilis, 44.
Aonidia aurantii, 7.
Apatela populi, 101.
Aphidius avenaphis, 71.
Aphids, abundance in Missouri, 70.
found on wheat, 70.
Aphis avene, 74.
mali, 70.
persice, 80.
n. sp. on roots of wheat, 70.
Apple, 75, 79, 86, 88, 90, 96.
Arbutus menziesii, 85.
Army Worm in lowa, 20.
Indiana, 45.
Nebraska, 98.
parasites of, 46, 98.
the fall. 46.
Arsenic, experiments with, 80.
Arundinaria tecta, 59.
Ash, 100, 101.
Aspidiotus aurantii, 7, 10, 14, 17.
Aster, 82.
Barley, 57, 93.
Bassus sycophanta, 71.
Bats capturing Codling moths, 91.
Beans, 52, 82.
Bean's Eureka insecticide, 17.
Beet, 76.
Bessey, Prof. C. E., description of Entomophthora
calopteni, 106.
INDEX.
Bittacus near stigmaterus destroying Crambus,
48.
Blackberry, 74.
Blissus leucopterus, 41, 55, 96, 97.
Blue Grass, 19, 42, 99.
Blue Grass Weevil in Nebraska, 99.
Box-elder, 74, 100, 101.
Bruner, Lawrence, Report by, 95.
Buckeye, 89.
Buckton, quoted, 69.
Bythoscopus sanguinolentus, 29.
siccifolius, 29.
Cabbage, 52, 73.
Butterfly, 76.
Curculio, 73.
Worm, 81.
Calathus ruficollis, 92.
California Insects, Report on, 85.
Caloptenus femur-rubrum, 22, 44, 94, 101.
Camnula pellucida, 94, 104.
Canker worms in Missouri, 74.
Carpocapsa (see Codling moth).
Catalpa, 103.
Ceanothus, 87.
cordulatus, 88.
thyrsiflorus, 88.
Cecidomyia destructor, 93.
Celena renigera, 82.
Ceratochloa australis, 37.
Ceuthorhynchus rape, 73.
Chenopodium album, 76.
Cherry, Wild, 87.
Chinch Bug, 41, 96.
Injuring grasses in Iowa, 21.
In Indiana, 55.
Unequal distribution in Indiana, 55.
Influenco of rain-fall, 58.
Fungus disease of, 60.
Chionanthus virginica, 79.
Chrysanthemum, 75.
Chrysobothris femorata, 101.
mali, 86.
Chrysomela sp. injurious to Willow, 101.
Chrysopa larve feeding on Phylloxera rileyi, 83.
probably destroying Codling moth eggs,
91.
preying on Wheat Aphis, 71.
Cicada coccinea, 28.
Cicadula exitiosa, 30.
Cimbex americana, 101.
Cladius isomera, 78.
Clisiocampa americana, 101.
ca liforaica, 87.
107
108
Clisiocampa constricta, 87. Elymus americanus, 93. s
erosa, 87. Empusa grylli, 106. ;
fragilis, 87. Encyrtus websteri, 71.
strigosa, 87. Entomological notes from Missouri for 1889, 73.
sylvatica, 101. Entomophthora disease of the Chinch Bug, 60.
thoracica, 87. Entomophthora calopteni, 104, 106.
Clover, 19, 47, 75, 82, 98. grylli, 106. {
-seed midge in Iowa, 19. Epicauta cinerea, 101. '
Coccinella 9-notata, 64, 72. Epitrix cucumeris, 19.
Codling moth in Missouri, 75. Eragrostis megastachya, 37.
California, 89. Erax larva, probably parasitic on White Grub, 51.
parasites of, in California, 8,90. Eriosoma? cornicola, 37, 39, 40.
Coffee bean, 101. 2 fungicola, 37, 38, 40.
Colorado potato beetle, experiments with, 80, 81. European Cabbage Butterfly in Missorri, 76. )
Conozoa wallula, 94. Eureka insecticide, experiments with, 17.
Contopus virens, 48. / Fabricius’s original description of Aphis corni, 36.
Coquillett, D. W., Report by, 9. Fall Army Worm, 46. : 4
Coriscus ferus, 26. False Chinch Bugs in Nebraska, 95.
Corn, 43, 46, 47, 48, 52, 53, 57, 100. Fertilizing salt, experiments with, 59.
Sweet, 76. Flea-like negro-bug in Missouri, 75.
Corn root-worm in Nebraska, 100. Fluted Seale, 9, 12.
Cornus, 33. Four-pointea Agallia, 28.
sanguinea, 36. Foxtails (see Setaria).
sericea, 39. Fungus disease of Chinch Bug, 60.
Corymelina pulicaria, 75. ° grasshoppers, 104. i
Cosmos, 75. Gas treatment for Scale insects, 9.
Cottonwood, 100, 101. Geocoris bullata, 96.
Jottony Cushion Seale, 9, 12. | Gortyna nitela, 47, 75.
Crambus exsiccatus, 18. Grain Aphis in Indiana, 64.
Severe outbreak in 1889, 64.
Influence of temperature and moisture, 65.
laqueatellus, 18, 48.
zeellus, 47, 48.
Cressonia juglandis, 101. Cool temperature favorable to its develop.
Crucifere injured by Phyllotreta vittata, 73- ment, 68.
Cucumber, 76, 22. Eflicacy of parasites, 69.
Currant, 86, 88. Notes on life-history, 69.
Cut-worm, a new, 47. Enumeration of natural enemies, 71.
Cut-worms in California, 88. Other species of Aphids found on wheat, 70.
Towa, 18, 20. Grain fruits, insects injurious to, 7, 42.
Nebraska, 97. Grape, 86, 96.
Dactylis glomerata, 71. Grass, 19, 20, 34, 93, 100.
Dahlia, 75. Hungarian, 41.
Datana angusii, 101. Timothy, 45.
winistra, 44, 45. Grasses, insects injurious to, 7, 20, 41.
Destructive Leaf-hopper, 30. Grass-root Plant-louse, 32.
Diabrotica 12-punctata, 19, 52, 76. Grasshoppers in Iowa, 21.
longicornis, 100. fungus disease of, 104.
soror, 87. Green-lined Maple. worm in Nebraska, 99.
vittata, 19. Gryllus luctuosus, 94. 7
Diamond soluble bone, experiment with, 48. Hackberry, 101. ; °
Diedrocephala coccinea, 27, 28. Hadena stipata, 47.
mollipes, 26. Halticus pallicornis, 82.
noveboracensis, 27. Hesperotettix pacifieus, 44.
versuta, 27. Hessian fly in California, 93.
Dipterous parasite of Army Worm, 98. new food-plants of, 93.
Diabrotica soror, 87. Ileteroptera infesting grasses, 41.
Disonycha collaris, 76. ilieroglyphie Leaf-hopper, 28.
pennsylvanica, 101. Hippodamia convergens, 72.
Dissosteira carolina, 94. glacialis, 72.
obliterata, 94. parenthesis, 72.
Dogwood Plant-louse, 20, 32. 13-punctata, 72.
Its identity with the grass root-louse, 32. Tfoney Locust, 101.
Doryphora 10-lineata, 80. Hopper Dozers recommended for Leaf-hoppers,25.
Drasterius dorsalis, 52. Hungarian grass, 41.
elegans, 52. Hurtful Leaf-hopper, 31.
Drymeia sp. parasitic on Army Worm, 46. Hydroecyaniec gas treatment, 9.
EJm, 74, 100. Hyphantria cunea, 101.
109
- Icerya purchasi, 7, 9, 12.
Ichneumon brevicinctor, 46.
Insects affecting grain fruits, 7, 42.
grasses, 7, 20.
young trees on western
claims, 100.
injurious in California, 85.
Iowa, 18.
Missouri, 73.
Nebraska, 95.
Insecticides, experiments with, 9, 48, 80.
Bean's Eureka insecticide, 17.
hydrocyanic acid gas, 9.
London purple, 19.
Paris green, 30.
Petroleum emulsion, 19, 80.
Resin soaps and compounds, 10.
Salts, 50, 51.
White arsenic, 80.
Various substances, 48.
X. O. Dust, 19, 80.
Towa, insects injurious in, 18.
Ischnodemus falicus, 41.
Isocrates vulgaris, 71.
-Isosoma sp. destructive in California, 93.
tritici, 42.
Jassus inimicus, 31.
Kerosene emulsion, 19, 80.
Koebele, Albert, Report by, 85.
Lachnosterna larva destructive in Indiana. 48.
injuring young trees in the West,
101.
Laphria tergissa destroying Varying Anomala, 51.
Laphygma frugiperda, 46.
Leat-hoppers affecting grass in Iowa, 21.
Appearance and habits, 23.
Amount and nature of damage, 22.
Remedies, 23.
Enumeration of species observed, 26.
Lecanium ole, 13.
sp. on dogwood, 34.
Leuvania unipuncta (see Army Worm).
Leucarctia acraa, 92.
Lina scripta, 76, 101.
Linden, 74.
Locust injury in 1889, 104.
Locusts on the Pacific coast, 93.
London purple and Kerosene emulsion, 19.
Long Bug, 41.
Luperina stipata, 47.
Lygus lineatus, 75.
pratensis, 75.
Madrona tree-borer, 85.
Maple, 74, 100, 101.
soft, 99, 101.
Maple Worm, the Green-lined, 99.
- Meadows and pastures, insects injurious to, 20, 48.
Megaspilus niger, 71.
Megilla maculata, 72.
Megoura sp. found on rye, 71.
“Melanoplus cinereus, 94.
devastator, 94.
differentialis, 101, 104.
femur-rubrum, 22, 24, 94, 101.
packardii, 94.
spretus, 101, 104.
tree
Melaxanthus salicis, 20.
Meromyza americana, 42.
found on grass in lowa, 19.
Merisus destructor, 93.
Micropus leucopterus, 41, 55, 96, 97.
Millet, 98.
Miris atftinis, 41.
Monophadnus barda, 101.
Mulberry, 96.
Russian, 103.
Murtfeldt, Mary E., Report by, 73.
Myzus sp. found on wheat, 71.
Nasturtium, 76.
Nebraska, insects injarious in, 95.
Nemorza leucania, 46.
New Rose Slug, 78.
Life-history, 78.
Description of larva, 78.
New York Leaf-hopper, 27.
Nomophila noctuella, 18.
Nysius angustatus, 96.
Oak, 82, 87, 88, 100,
Oats, 52, 57, 98.
Oecanthus latipennis, 82, 101.
niveus, 101.
Céstlund, O. W., quoted, 38.
Olive, 86.
Ophion purgatus, 46.
Orchard grass, 71.
trees, 74, 75.
Osborn, Prof. Herbert, Report by, 18.
Pachyneuron micans, 71.
Palthis angulalis, description of larva and pupa,
no:
Panicum, 33, 63.
anceps, 59.
glabrum, 37, 38.
prolificum, 59.
viscidum, 59.
Papilio turnus, 101.
Paspalum fluitans, 59.
leave, 59.
Passerini, quoted, 37.
Peach, 74, 75.
Pear, 75, 90.
Bartlett, 90.
Peppergrass, 73, 97.
Phosphate salt, experiment with, 49.
Phyllotreta vittata, 73, 80.
zimmermanni, 80.
Phylloxera rileyi, notes on, for 1889, 82.
Pieris protodice, 76.
rapx, 76.
Pimpla annulipes, 90.
Pipizapulchella possibly preying on Chinch Bug,
64,
Plagiodera scripta, 76, 101.
Platysamia cecropia, 101.
Plum, 74, 86.
Plum curculio in Missouri, 74.
Poa pratensis, 42, 70, 99.
Podabrus tomentosus, 72.
Podura found on radishes, 74.
Polycaon confertus, 85.
Polygonum, 97.
Populus, 76,
110
Post Oak, 82.
Prunus demissa, 87.
Pterostichus californicus, 92.
Purslane, 97.
Bug, 96.
Quercus agrifolia, 87, 89.
conomensis, 87.
obtusiloba, 82.
Radish, 73, 100.
Rain-fall and temperature in Indiana, 66, 67.
Raphidia destroying Codling Moths in Califor-
nia, 92.
Red-backed Leaf-hopper, 28.
Red Scale of California, 7.
methods of destroying, 9.
Red osier dogwood, 37.
Resin soaps and compounds for Scale insects, 10.
Rhopalosiphum n. sp. found on wheat, 70.
Rhubarb, 74.
Rocky Mountain Locust, 101, 104.
Rose, 78.
Rose slug, anew, 78.
Ryan, F. G., experiment with resin washes, 13.
Rye, 46, 57, 70, 71.
Sage bush, 94.
Salts, experiment with, as insecticides, 49, 50, 51.
Schizoneura corni, 20, 32, 33, 36.
crategi, 19.
panicola, 33, 38, 40.
venusta, 37, 40.
Scirpus atrovirens, 53.
‘Scoliopteryx libatrix, 46.
Selandria rose, 78, 80.
? sp. injurious to White Fringe, 79.
Setaria, 33, 41, 63.
glauca, 37, 61.
italica, 37.
viridis, 37.
Shade trees infested by Apbids, 74.
Siphonophoraavene, 64, 74.
Smart-weed, 97,
Spherophoria cylindrica, 71.
Sphenophorus ochreus, 52.
parvulus, 99.
Spinach, 76.
Spinach beetle, 76.
Life-habits and history, 76.
Description of larva and pupa, 77.
Squash, 76.
Stalk-borer, 75.
Steiroxis sp., 94.
Stenobothris coloradus, 94.
Stink-grass, 97.
Strawberry, 75.
Streaked Cottonwood Beetle, 76, 101.
Swamp Sphenophorus in Indiana, 52.
Sweet corn, 76.
Systeechus oreas, 44.
Tarnished Plant-bug, 75, 81.
Telea polyphemus, 101.
Telephorus carolinus, 72.
Tenderfoot Leaf-hopper, 26.
Tent caterpillars of the Pacific coast, 87.
Tettigonia hieroglyphica, 28.
4-vittata, 28.
Thomas, Prof. Cyrus, quoted, 37, 38.
Thorn-tree Aphid in Iowa, 19.
Thrips found on blue grass, 19.
larve feeding on Phylloxera rileyi, 83.
Timothy grass, 45.
Tortricid injurious to Honey Locust, 101.
boring twigs of Hackberry and Box-
elder, 101.
Toxoptera n. sp. found on wheat, 70.
Trapozonotus nebulosus, 96.
Trees on western tree claims, insects injurious
to, 100.
Trichogramma pretiosa, 8.
Trimerotropis fallax, 94.
Trioxys sp. parasitic on Grain Aphis, 71.
Triptogon modesta, 101.
Trogoderma tarsale, larva feeding on Codling
moth pupe, 92.
Tropxolum, 76.
Turt Web-worms in Iowa, 20.
Turnips, 73, 100.
Twelve-spotted Diabrotica, 52, 76.
Tychea panici, 38.
Uhler, Prof. P., quoted, 26.
Uniola latifolia, 59.
Van Duzee, E. P., quoted, 29, 30.
Vanessa antiopa, 101.
Varying Anomala, 51.
Vedalia cardinalis, 8, 9, 85.
Walsh, B. D., quoted, 37.
Walnut, 101.
Black, 101.
Washes for Scale insects, 7, LU.
Wavy-spotted Leaf-hopper, 30.
Wavy-striped Flea-beetle, 73.
Webster, Prof. F. M., Report by, 42.
Weed, Clarence M., quoted, 39.
Western Striped Cut-worms, 43.
Interesting parasite on, 44.
Wheat, 42, 51, 52, 57, 64, 70, 71, 93.
Wheat stem maggot, 42.
straw worm, 42.
wire-worm, 51.
White arsenic, experiments with, 80.
White Fringe tree, 79.
White Fringe Slug, 79.
Description of larva, 79.
White grubs in Indiana, 48.
Iowa, 20.
experiments for destroying, 48.
Wild Cherry, 87.
Willow, 87, 88, 100,101.
Willow Plant-louse, 20.
Wire-worm injuring wheat, 51.
Wood Pewee destroying Crambus moths, 48.
Xanthogramma emarginata, 71.
X. O. Dust, experiments with, 19, 75, 80.
°
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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
£ DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 23.
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THE PRACTICAL WORK OF THE DIVISION,
UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST.
(PUBLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
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CONTENTS.
EEITERRAOR, SUBMITTAL © jcossiccic sins siesisica cis via sninsmaiesisecessisiecscnssice es neice
LEN DRODUCTIONIAcicc</sceamiee scene Svaictaislais\ slsisia aeteisieleys alela @ajele miele wa wiole'es slolsieisiserers
Re RORTEON NE BRASICA UNSHOTS!.ccice'ssicm secu saialnie el sja/erenie'e Lawrence Bruner --
REPORT ON VARIOUS METHODS FOR DESTROYING SCALE INSECTs, D. W. Coquil-
LGU PMP eae areca ay ofa lnla cit orain aheicfejciein win tele sie aise eibiw Sie elaieie eel Sine oielme/m nie iaiae ei slaneveatenaievers
REPORT UPON EXPERIMENTS CHIEFLY WITH RESIN COMPOUNDS ON PHYL-
LOXERA VASTATRIX, AND OBSERVATIONS MADE DURING THE YEAR, Albert
LGA sabe Sooucad quceTe SO noRaNn OneoS Saeco caee Bae ree soostseieeioe seme cs
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FROM MISSOURI FOR THE SEASON OF 1890, Mary L.
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REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE SEASON IN JowWa......-----Herbert Osborn..
REPORT ON SOME OF THE INSECTS AFFECTING CEREAL CRopPS.../. M. Webster. -
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LETTER OF SUBMITTAL,
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., January 3, 1891.
Str: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 23 of
this Division. It comprises the reports of the field agents of the Division
for the past year (1890), a summary of which has been included in your
annual report.
Respectfully,
C. V. RILEY,
Entomologist.
Hon. J. M. RUSK,
Secretary of Agriculture.
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INTRODUCTION.
The reports of the six permanent field agents of the Division are in-
cluded in this bulletin. They are printed this year in full, but it should
be understood that they are little more than summaries of the work in
general performed by each one. Special reports upon specific subjects
have from time to time been sent in by special direction, and these
have been published in INSECT LIFE.
Mr. Lawrence Bruner, who last year reported upon the insects inju-
rious to young trees on tree claims, has the present season devoted
much of his attention to insects affecting, or liable to affect, the Sugar
beet, a crop of growing importance in the State in which he is located.
Although but one season’s collecting has been done, some 64 species
have been observed to prey upon this crop. As has been shown, nearly
all of these can be readily kept in subjection by the use of the kero-
sene emulsion or the arsenites.
Mr. D. W. Coquillett’s report is mainly devoted to methods and ap-
paratus for the destruction of scale insects by means of fumigation.
The experiments were aimed at the Red Scale, which is one of the most
difficult to treat with washes. He describes the simplified tents, the
rigging which enables them to be used rapidly, and shows theadvantage -
of excluding the actinic rays of the light. Judging from recent Cali-
fornia newspapers the use of this method of fighting scale-insects is
rapidly increasing and the comparatively expensive apparatus is al-
ready owned by a large number of fruit-growers. This improved
method is the legitimate outgrowth of experiments which we instituted
at Los Angeles in 1887, and possesses the advantage over spraying that
itcan hardly be-done in a slovenly manner. If used at all its effects
are nearly complete.
Mr. Albert Koebele, while reporting upon a number of interesting
fruit pests, notably the Tent Caterpillars of the Pacific slope, and a
Noctuid larva which destroys the buds of certain fruit trees, devotes
most of his report to the description of certain tests, which I directed
him to make with different resin compounds against the Grape Phyllox-
era in the Sonoma Valley during September and October of the past
year. The results have been fully as satisfactory as we anticipated, and
the economy of the process is very striking, labor being practically the
only expense.
ai
8
Miss Mary E. Murtfeldt reports upon the insects of the season in
eastern Missouri, and also gives the results of experiments which she
has made with certain insecticides submitted to her from this office for
trial. She also presents descriptions of four Microlepidoptera, gees
are new in the role of feeders upon Apple.
Prof. Herbert Osborn reports upon the insects injurious to forage-
crops, meadows, and pastures in his State. His report last year was
mainly taken up with the consideration of the Leaf-Hoppers, to which ~
he gives some further consideration this year, adding some notes on
locusts and crickets. He presents also a series of miscellaneous obser-
vations.
Mr. F. M. Webster devotes his report mainly to the Hessian Fly, dis-
cussing the number and development of broods, the effect of the larve
upon plants, the effect of the weather on the development of the fall
brood, and preventive measures. He also gives some notes upon three
of the species of Plant-lice, found commonly upon wheat.
In presenting this bulletin for publication, I desire to thank these
agents for the care with which they have followed out instructions and
for the intelligent manner in which they have conducted these investi-
gations.
C. V. Be
REPORT ON NEBRASKA INSECTS.
By LAWRENCE BRUNER.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
LINCOLN, NEBR., October 16, 1890.
Sir: Herewith is submitted a report of my work in Nebraska for the yearas special
field agent of the Division of Entomology of the United States Department of Agri-
culture.
In addition to my observations on the general insect depredations within the State,
I have incidentally given some time to the study of such insects as were taken upon
the sugar and other beets during the summer.
This special study was undertaken at the suggestion of our experiment station
director, who was quite anxious that “‘ beet insects ” should be made the subject of
a special bulletin to be issued from the station some time during the coming winter.
I accordingly include herewith a brief summary of the results of this special study.
Yours truly,
LAWRENCE BRUNER,
Field Agent.
Prof. €: Vi. RILEY,
U. S. Entomologist.
The past summer has not been particularly noted as one in which
insect depredators were especially abundant or destructive to the vari-
ous crops that are raised in the State. In fact, taking the State as a
whole, the injuries from this source have been rather less than is usually
the case. No one species, so far as I have been informed, has been a
pest during the year. The Corn Root-worm (Diabrotica longicornis),
while it has spread some since my last report, was much less abundant
than last year. Cut-worms did not appear in early summer so univer-
sally over the State, nor did they do anything near the damage they
did the year past. No Army-worm depredations have been reported at
the station, nor have any come to my own observation; while the Corn
Ear-worm (Heliothis armigera) has been less destructive in most portions
of the region along the Missouri River.
If any one insect has been on the increase and has caused more in-
jury than usual, it was the almost universal Codling Moth (at least
universal wherever apples are grown or eaten). But if this insect has
hecome apparently more widespread within this region than it was
9
10
formerly, it is quite consoling to know that the warfare against it has
also become more genera]. Almost every fruit-grower has at last come
to the forced conclusion that warfare against this insect, at least, has
become an absolute necessity, and has accordingly instituted a rigor-
ous fight against it. The arsenious spray is the almost universal
remedy resorted to with our fruit-growers here in Nebraska, as it is
in other localities. Either London purpleor Paris green are the poisons
used, and where applied properly always result favorably to the or-
chardist.
THE GREEN-STRIPED MAPLE WORM.
The Green-striped Maple-worm (Anisota rubicunda) appeared quite
numerously again in the towns and cities of Nebraska, and has done
much injury to the Soft Maples (Acer saccharinum) growing along their
streets. Here in Lincoln, the first or spring brood of larve was suffi-
ciently numerous to defoliate many of the largest trees before they
had become fully matured, and in that manner proved to be quite
effectual towards self-extermination. Many of the larve actually
starved to death; while others were so weakened from starvation that
they either died in the chrysalis state, or else were so exhausted when
they emerged as moths that there was but little egg-laying for a sec-
ond brood. Some of the neighboring cities and towns were less for-
tunate, and had a much more plentiful: fall brood of the larve, and
hence will be well supplied with the insect next spring unless something
unforeseen prevents it.
Considerable has been done inthe way of remedies by the citizens of
Lincoln against the second brood. Many of the moths were gathered
and destroyed before they~had time to deposit their eggs and later on
in the season spraying the trees with London purple and Paris green
was resorted to with good results.
While a moderately dry summer usually has the tendency to increase
the number of most of our injurious insects, several such years imme-
diately following one another have the opposite effect. So it has been
with the summer which has just closed. The drought was so very
marked that even the more hardy insect life was sensibly affected by
its severity. Such species as had been favored by the scarcity of their
more frail parasites during several years of moderate drought, this year
were themselves, to a certain degree, sensibly affected by its continu-
ance and severity.
LOCUSTS OR GRASSHOPPERS.
Locusts or grasshoppers of several species. were quite numerous in
certain localities, especially in cities away from the destructive influ-
ence of fowls and such other predaceous animals as are always at hand
in the country ready to “ gobble up” various insects. These locusts did
some damage, of course, but not nearly so much as was done by them
11
last year. Whether this decrease in their numbers has been due to
parasites or to disease, I can not say.
One noticeable fact in connection with the subject of insect depreda-
tions, in this particular region at least, is the growing interest which
the general public is taking, and the tendency on the part of the people
to help themselves against this host of insect enemies which is assailing
them on all sides. Whether this interest is traceable to any particular
source, or whether necessity is the awakening factor, I can not say. I
trust, though, that my work in this direction has not been entirely in
vain.
BEET INSECTS.
Iiver sinve the Sugar Beet industry was first agitated here in the
West, and now especially since the project has assumed such a prae-
tical form, it has become of general interest. For several years now the
cultivation of the sugar beet has been a theme for much speculation,
and to some extent also of experimentation. Now that a large factory
has been built at Grand Island in this State, the sugar beet is to be one
of our regular crops year after year. It will no longer be a plant that
is grown out of mere curiosity or simply for experimentation.
It has been ascertained in connection with the culture of the sugar
beet that certain insects show a tendency to attack and injureit. In
this respect the beet is not any different from other cultivated plants;
or, for that matter, wild or native ones also. In fact, it- is too evident
that certain ones of these insect enemies seem to prefer this “new”
- crop to any of these which have been cultivated in the same region for
a considerable time.
It was therefore thought here at the experiment station, early last
summer, that it might be well, as far as practicable in connection with
other lines of work, to give some attention to these insect enemies of
the sugar beet. Accordingly the following ‘press bulletin” was sent
out over the State:
SUGGESTIONS IN REGARD TO THE SUGAR-BEET CULTURE.
Reports from the sub-stations established in the spring by the State Experiment
Station for the purpose of determining the effect of the varying conditions of the
soil and climate on the growth of and the production of sugar in the Sugar beet are
in the main good.
In many places, especially in the extreme western part of the State, beets have
suffered from hot weather and a lack of rain; asarule, though, they seem to withstand
these unfavorable conditions as well as corn and better than small grain.
From some points reports tell us that insect enemies have begun their ray-
BOOS ee
As there are several kinds of insects that attack the beet, and as they have already
been reported as having begun operations, it seems the proper time to begin to learn
something of their appearance, habits, and the best means of meeting their advances.
To this end the beets should be watched very carefully, from day to day and at dif-
ferent times of the day, and even in the evening, for any insect, bug, or worm that
seems to have an interest in them; search the leaves, pull up the beets and search the
12
roots and the top layer of the soil, and when any marauder is found send it to the
experiment station for study and identification.
Directions for sending such specimens I copy from Bulletin XIV on “Insects Inju-
rious to Young Trees on Tree Claims,” just issued:
‘‘ Whenever possible, insects should be packed alive in some tight tin box—the
tighter the better, as air-holes are not needed—along with a supply of their appro-
priate food sufficient to last them on the journey ; otherwise they generally die on
the road and shrivel up.
‘Send as full an account as possible of their habits; what part of the plant they
infest, time of day when they are most active, amount of damage done, ete.
‘Packages should be marked with the name of the sender and should be addressed
to the entomologist of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln, Nebr.”
It will aid very materially in forming conclusions if all people who have planted
seed this season will send from time to time reports of the conditions of their beets
to the experiment station,
Address:
H. H. NicwHoxson,
Agricultural Experiment Station, Lincoln, Nebr.
The very dry summer may have had considerable to do towards
influencing much of the insect injury to the beets grown within the
region designated, and some species of insects may have worked upon
this plant that ordinarily would not have done so. In many localities
various insects were observed to congregate among the leaf stems just
above the ground that could not have been there for mischief, since —
they were such forms as do not feed upon growing plants. Especially
was this true in portions of the State where the drought was severest
and where other refugees from the burning sun and parched soil were
scarce or entirely wanting. In many of these localities a great variety
of insect life was always sure to be found hidden away during the day-
time in such places. Not only beetles but also representatives of such
other orders as the Hymenoptera, Hemiptera, Neuroptera, Orthoptera,
Diptera, and Lepidoptera were quite common in such localities. Even
many water-inhabiting forms frequently occurred in company with the
others,
Of course all of these insects that were found on or about the roots
of the beets were sent in to the station both by the field agents and
by the various correspondents, who took an interest in the investiga-
tions under way. To separate most of these “refugees” from such
other forms as might possibly be there for mischief was, of course, quite
easily done at the station by those who were accustomed to the habits
of most of the insects under consideration. A few of them were, how-
ever, more difficult to single out, and required Special study to decide
positively, which in nearly every case was accomplished.
In the study of this subject it was quickly demonstrated that almost
all of the insect enemies of the sugar beet, as well as of the common
garden and other varieties, were either weed feeders or else were such
as are very general feeders. It was also ascertained that nearly if not
quite all of the insects of whatsoever description that attack other
13
Chenopodiaceous plants, as the various species of “tumble weeds,”
the “pig-weed,” Atriplices, etc., the purslane and other juicy weeds,
as also many of those that attack the various Crucifere and Solanacesx,
will also feed upon the beet. Not a single species of insect has thus
far been reported by any of the agents of the station, or by correspond:
ents, that is exclusively a beet feeder. Every one of them has been as-
certained to attack some one or more of the other plants that are also
common to the region. Only a very few species have appeared in num-
bers sufficiently great to be what could be termed ‘‘ destructive” to the
beet within the region covered by these studies or investigations; and
these few are of such a nature that they can be readily combated.
In their modes of attack upon the beet these various insects, so far
as they have been studied, are either leaf-feeders or root-borers, 7. ¢.,
they either attack the foliage which they devour or from which they
suck the juices by inserting their beaks, or they bore into or gnaw the
roots. Later on in our investigations we may find that there are others
that will attack the seeds and seed stems. In either of the former cases
the result is an injury to the beet, whether it is being cultivated for the
table, for feeding to stock, or for the manufacture of sugar. Should
future study reveal others that attack the seed of the beet these latter
would of course be of direct injury to the seed industry since much
seed will necessarily have to be raised to provide for the large crops
that are required each year for sugar.
Having now become fully convinced that the cultivation of the Sugar
Beet is not without its drawbacks here in the West, and that there are
insects which we must contend against and overcome in raising this
crop, as well as in the raising of corn, wheat, and potatoes, we see
the necessity of beginning our fight at once if we would prevent much
future loss. By prompt action in the beginning, when the enemies are
few in numbers and less generally distributed, we will have a much
easier time of it; besides, our losses from this cause will be infinitely
smaller than if we neglect them and permit them to go on increasing
and spreading unmolestedly.
The following list embraces all such species of insects as were either
found to injure the beet here in Nebraska or else have been recorded
by others as attacking this plant within the region referred to:
List OF BEET INSECTS.
Species that attack the Leaves.
LEPIDOPTERA.
1. Spilosoma virginica, Fab.—The larva of this very common insect, is one of
the first noticed to injure the beet. It also infests a large number of other
plants.
2. Spilosoma isabella, Abb.—The larva, like that of the preceding, attacks the beet
and many of our common weeds.
3. Mamestra picta, Harr.—Larva occasionally attacks the leaves of beet and other
garden plants.
6.
10.
dt.
16.
ive
18.
19.
20.
21.
2
wo
14
. Eurycreon rantalis, Guen.—The larva of this small Pyralid moth is one of our
most destructive beet insects. It is the oneusually known as the Garden Web-
worm; and also attacks a number of other plants among which are the “ Pig-
weed,” the tumble weed, purslane, etc.
. Mamestra trifolii, Rott.—Larva quite common on beets; and sometimes doing
considerable injury by gnawing away the leaves and the entire tops of small
plants. Also a purslane insect.
Plusia brassice, Riley.—The larva occasionally attacks the beet, but more com-
monly the turnip, cabbage, and other Cruciferex,
. Deilephila lineata, Fab.—Larva found feeding on beet leaves in Lincoln, Nebr.,
by Mr. H. Marsland. A very common purslane insect.
. Copidryas gloveri, G. and R.—Taken several times on the leaves of beets which it
had eaten more or less. An abundant purslane moth.
. Agrotis, spp.—Several species of these ‘‘ cut-worms” are occasionally quite de-
structive to the beet while it is still small. They work more or less all summer,
but are most destructive early in the year. They cut off the plant just at ora
little below the surface of the ground. Some of them also work upon the leaves
above the ground.
Teucania unipuncta, Haw.—The Army Worm, when it is abundant, does consider-
able damage to beets and other garden plants by eating their foliage.
Botis pesticata, Grt.—The larva of this moth is said to be quite destructive to a
number of plants here in the West. ‘‘In 1873 we found the larve feeding
upon Helianthus, Ambrosia, potatoes, and beets, skeletonizing and ruining the
plants for miles along the Neosho Valley and throughout Kansas,” writes Pro-
fessor Riley in the U. 8. Agricultural Report for 1883,
ORTHOPTERA.
. Melanoplus femur-rubrum, DeG.—Occasionally injuring the leaves of beets and
other vegetables.
. MW. atlanis, Riley.—When common, a general feeder, at least upon the products
of the garden and farm—beets of course included.
. MW. spreius, Thos.—Attacks the beet during times of invasions. Sometimes en-
tirely eating away the leaves and portions of root that protrude from the
ground.
. M. differentialis, Thos.—When plentifui it occasionally does some injury to the
foliage of the beet and other garden plants.
M. divittatus, Say.—Where beets are planted on low ground or are growing
close to some rank vegetation, it attacks their tops, but never does much
damage.
Dissosteira carolina, Lin.—Found feeding upon the tops of sugar beets during the
month of July, at McCook, Nebr.
Trimerotropis latifasciata, Scudd.—Taken in company with the preceding, also
feeding on sugar beets.
Spharagemon cwquale, Scudd.—Several specimens were received daring the sum-
mer from McCook and Ravenna, Nebr., with the accompanying statement to
the effect that they fed on the sugar beet.
Pezotettix olivaceus, Scudd.—I have seen this hopper in beet fields several times
under such circumstances as led me to think it feeds upon that plant. It is also
quite partial to Helianthus and Chenopodium.
COLEOPTERA,
Diabrotica 12-punctata, Oliv.—Quite common on the leaves of beets, which it in-
jures by gnawing holes in them.
Disonycha triangularis, Say.—The beetle feeds upon the leaves of beets and other
Chenopodiaceous plants. Sometimes quite common here in the West.
ake
15
23. D. cervicalis, Lec.—Has similar habits to the preceding, but is less abundant.
24. D. xanthomelena, Dalm.—Common on beets and other Chenopodiaceous plants,
the leaves of which it riddles with holes,’
25. D. crenicollis, Say.—One of the 5-lined flea-beetles that occur here in moderate
numbers; is also occasionally taken on beet leaves at Lincoln, Nebr.
26. Systena frontalis, Fab.—Found feeding upon beet leaves on the College farm, Lin-
coin, Nebr.; also on the leaves of Hibiscus militaris at West Point, Nebr.
27. S. teniata, var. blanda, Melsh.—A very numerous species in all parts of the State
from which beet-feeding insects have been received. It literally riddles the
leaves of beets with pit-like holes, in some instances entirely destroying the
leaves of quite large plants. I have also taken it upon white clover, purslane,
and amaranthus. This is liable to be one of our most destructive beet insects
here in the West, especially in Nebraska.
28. Psylliodes convexior, Lec.—Another of the flea-beetles that is very abundant on
the leaves of beets in some portions of Nebraska, and which works in a soine-
what similar manner to the preceding.
29. Chetocnema denticulata, Illig.—I found still another of our small flea-beetles at
work on the beets growing on the State farm here at Lincoln, although in much
fewer numbers than either of the two species preceding.
Epitric cucumeris, Harr.—This small flea-beetle was found to be quite abundant
at Ashland, Nebr., where it was taken by Mr. T. A. Williams, upon the potato,
Solanum nigrum, and the beet, the leaves of all of which were more or less
closely riddled with holes.
Epicauta pennsylvanica, DeG.—This black plisierhectias injures the leaves of quite
a number of plants, prominent among which are the potato, ‘‘ pigweed,” and
beet. It has been received at the station from central and western Nebraska
as one of the most destructive insects attacking the plant.
32. Epicauta cinerea, Forst.—Another of these blister-beetles was found here at Lin-
coln by Mr. Herbert Marsland, who said it almost ruined a small bed of beets
growing in his garden. I have also collected the same species from one of the
wild beans and several other native plants.
33. Epicauta maculata, Say.—This insect has been received from Medicine Lodge,
Kans., and from Grant and Neligh, Nebr., where it was found to injure the
sugar beets by feeding on the leaves. It isa very common insect here in the
West upon quite a number of the Chenopodiaceous plants, and especially upon
the various species belonging to the genera Chenopodium and Atriplex,
34, Epicauta vittata, Fab.— This striped blister-beetle is also a beet insect; and has
- been received from Ogalalla, this State, where it was reported as doing much
damage to sugar beets. It also is quite a general feeder. Among its food plants
ate to be mentioned the Solanacesx, some of the Leguminose, and I have found
it to be quite destructive to several of the Sagittaric.
35. Epicauta cinerea, var. marginata.—This large black blister beetle also frequently
gathers upon vegetables of different kinds in the semi-arid regions east of the
Rocky Mountains, but chiefly upon beans. I have taken it on beets once or
twice here in Nebraska.
36. Cantharis nuttalli, Say.—During the late summer and early fall of 1888 this in-
sect was very destructive to garden plants, beets included, in the Black Hills
of South Dakota. It also abounds in the western and northwestern parts of
Nebraska.
Colaspis brunnea, Fab.—This small leaf beetle, which appears to be quite a gen-
eral feeder, has been taken on several different occasions upon the beet both by
myself and different ones of the field agents, and also by some of the correspond-
ents. ;
Epicerus imbricatus, Say.—The Imbricated Snout-beetle has been known to attack
the beet among the many other plants upon which it feeds. It is a general
feeder.
30
31
37
38
39
40.
41.
42,
43,
44.
46.
47.
49,
50.
51,
52,
16
Centrinus penicillus, Hbst.—Another of the Snout-bettles that attack the beets
here in the West is the one known to the entomologist by the above name. It
gnaws small holes in the leaf-stem, and when numerous does considerable harm
to the plants attacked. Whether or not the insect breeds here I was tunable to
ascertain.
C. perscitus, Hbst.—Still a third species of weevil was found upon the beets grow-
ing on the State farm. It isa much commoner insect than penicillus, and works
in a similar manner upon the leaf-stem.
Apion, sp.—This little Apion was taken on the leaves of beets here at Lincoln on
two separate occasions.
Doryphora10-iineata, Say.—The Colorado Potato-beetle was brought into my office
at different times during the summer by those who reported its having been
captured on the leaves of beet which it was “ certainly eating.”
HETEROPTERA,
Blissus leucopterus, Say.—The Chinch Bug has quite frequently been taken by
me upon beet tops in company with several others of the plant bugs. Whether
or not it was there only temporarily, I can not say; but suppose it was, since
all of our leading economic entomologists assert that its food-plants are limited
to the grasses.
Piesma cinerea, Say.—A very common bug on the beet and various others of the
Chenopodiaceous plants. Sometimes doing much damage to the leaves of the
former.
. Nysius angustatus, Uhl.—Another bug that often gathers upon the beet and other
garden plants is what is called the False Chinch-bug. When numerous it
often does considerable harm to the plants which it attacks. It is also one of
the weed insects that enjoys a wide range.
Geocoris bullatus, Say.—The Large-headed False Chinch-bug, or Purslane Bug, is
also much addicted to infesting the beet here in Nebraska. In fact it has been
received from all over the State as one of the commonest of insects infesting
the beet. It is also a great weed bug.
Trapezonotus nebulosus, Fall.—This bug also frequents the beet and several other
Chenopodiaceous plants. It is especially partial to the Pigweed (Chenopo-
dium album) here in Nebraska.
. Emblethis arenarius, Linn.—Taken several times on the beet in company with the
preceding. This insect also is a frequenter of localities where Chenopodium al-
bum is growing. The species also occurs about the roots of “Stink Grass”
(Eragrostis major).
Lygus pratensis, Linn.—Probably one of the most general feeders among the true
bugs, and sometimes a very destructive enemy of the beet. It occurs through-
out the entire North American continent in the temperate regions.
Euthoctha galeator, Fab.—This bug has also been taken several times on the beet
in the vicinity of Lincoln, Nebr. I have collected it also from the wild cucum-
ber (Echinocystis lobata).
HOMOPTERA.
Agallia siccifolia.—This little leaf-hopper, which seems to be especially partial to
the different species of Amarantus and Chenopodium and allied weeds, is also
equally fond of the beet, at least such would appear to be the fact, judging from
the large numbers of the insect that are invariably to be found upon this plant
all through the summer. It occurs in all stages.
Immature forms only.—Found in moderate numbers on the sugar beet at Grant,
Nebr., a rather large leaf-hopper, which also occurs upon the Amarantus and
Chenopodium,
17
53. Allygus sp.—This prettily marked leaf-hopper is very partial to Chenopodium al-
bum, on the under side of the leaves of which it breeds throughout the summer.
This insect also attacks other species of the same genus, those of the genera Ama-
rantus and Montilia, etc. Besides these it is very frequently found on the beet.
Characteristic marks of its presence are the rather large purplish spots that are seen
upon the leaves of plants that have been punctured by its beak.
54. Lrythroneura sp.—Another small, slender, green leaf-hopper that is occasionally
met with upon the beet.
55. Athysanus (? sp.).—Still another of these leaf-hoppers that is found upon the beet.
56. Liburnia intertecta.—There is still a sixth of these leaf-hoppers that has been taken
on the beet here in Nebraska; and which presumably also does some injury to that
plant by sucking its juices.
57. Aphis atriplicis, Linn.—Mr. T. A. Williams tells me that he has taken this plant-
louse on the beet at Ashland, this State, where it was quite common during the
year.
58. Aphis cucumeris, Forbes.—This past summer Mr, Williams also took what he de-
termined to be the Aphis cucumeris, Forbes, breeding quite abundantly upon some
beets that grew right by the side of some cucumber vines that had been infested
by the same insect.
59. Siphonophora pisi, Kalt.—The same gentleman tells me that he has also taken the
common garden aphid here at Lincoln, on the beet. He found it in the pupa and
winged stages.
Species that attack the Root.
COLEOPTERA.
60. Ligyrus gibbosus, De G.—This beetle has been quite destructive to the sugar beet
over limited areas towards the western part of the State during the present season.
It attacks the root, into which the mature insect gnaws great holes, sometimes
entirely imbedding itself. It worked most on old ground and where irrigation was
resorted to. It worked on the roots from the surface to a considerable depth but
most at about 3 or 4 inches below the surface. In some instances it reached a depth
of fully 7 inches below the surface.
61. Lachnosterna fusca, Fréh.—Not unfrequently the common white grub attacks the
roots of the beet, and does injury to the plant in that way. ‘There are very likely
several kinds of the ‘‘ grub” that are concerned in these attacks, since almost every
locality has its particular species of ‘‘ June bug” that predominates in numbers.
62. Wire Worms.—Several of the larvze of ‘‘ snapping beetles,” or click beetles, are
also to be charged with injuring the roots of beets in some localities.
63. Unknown larva.—On two different occasions during the past summer I found beets
that had been attacked by some unknown larva just below the surface of the
ground, and from which the depredator had already escaped. The work resem-
bled that of an insect that works in the roots of different “tumble weeds” and
causes them to break off. The larvee are rather short, thick, whitish grubs with
brownish heads, about one-fourth of an inch in length, slightly largest in the mid-
dle; possibly the larva of some snout beetle.
UNCERTAIN.
64. Silpha opaca, Linn.—This insect has been taken several times by me in beet fields,
and in gardens where beets were growing. In Europe the insect is said to be quite
injurious to the beet crop, by attacking and devouring the leaves. Whether or not
it has the same habit in this country I can not say.
In addition to the above list of insects that are known to actually
attack one or the other varieties of beet there are several others that
25910—Bull, 23 2
18
have been taken so frequently upon that plant, and under such pecu-
liar circumstances, that they, too, may preve to beits enemies. Among
these latter I would mention several of the Eleodes, one Collops, and
several Diptera.
REMEDIES THAT CAN BE USED AGAINST BEET INSECTS.
It will be quickly seen by any one who has taken the pains to go
over the foregoing list, that in nearly every case, at least so far as men-
tioned here, the insect enemies of the beet are identical with those that
work upon our common garden weeds, or else they are such as are very
general feeders. It will also be observed that most of them are
leaf-feeders; ¢. ¢., they nearly all attack that portion of the piant
above ground. These being the facts in the case, the remedies that at
once suggest themselves are simple. A spray of some kind scattered
over the plants will be effectual as well as economical. The beet tops
are seldom utilized for food, either for man or beast. Hence for pro-
tection against insects with gnawing mouth parts that attack them an
arsenical spray can be used, whilst for such as receive their nourish-
ment by means of a sucking mouth the kerosene emulsion will answer
the purpose. This latter remedy will also be effective against No. 27,
as has been demonstrated by actual experiment by at least one of our
correspondents, who writes that “The kerosene emulsion which you
directed me to try on my beets against the flea-beetles was a perfect
success.”
A direct as well as useful remedy is the careful destruction of all
such weeds as furnish food for the same insects that attack the beet.
Clean culture in this case becomes doubly necessary. First, to prevent
the appropriation by the weeds of nourishment that should be taken by
the beets, and secondly, to give less room for the propagation of inju-
rious insects.
REPORT ON VARIOUS METHODS FOR DESTROYING SCALE
INSECTS.
By D. W. CoquiLLert, Special Agent.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
Los ANGELES, CAL., October 8, 1890.
Sir: I herewith submit my annual report for the season of 1890. The Australian
lady-bird (Vedatia cardinalis Mulsant) recently introduced by this Division, success-
fully survived the winter unprotected out of doors, and as early as the month of
March I was able to distribute several colonies to those requesting them. Lest this
species, after exterminating the Fluted or Cottony-cushion Seale (Icerya purchasi
Maskell) should become extinct on this coast, our State Board of Horticulture, at the
suggestion of its president, Hon. Ellwood Cooper, has erected two propagating
houses over two large orange trees belonging to Col. J. R. Dobbins, in the San Ga-
briel Valley ; in these houses the Vedalias are to be propagated and distributed to
those requiring them. At the present writing it is no easy matter to find a single
living Icerya anywhere in this part of the State, although in the early part of the
season they appeared in limited numbers in a great many places; later in the season
the Vedalias also appeared in considerable numbers, and by sending colonies of these
to the different localities where the Iceryas had appeared, the latter were effectually
held in check.
The Red Scale (Aspidiotus awrantii Maskell), so destructive to Citrus trees in certain
jocalities, is rapidly reduced in numbers through the agency of the treatment with
hydrocyanic acid gas, described in my previousreports. This treatment is now being
largely used for the above mentioned purpose, and is giving far better results than
have ever been obtained by the use of any kind of a spray ; numerous instances have
occurred where, upon large Citrus trees treated with this gas, neither myself nor other
parties were able to find a single living Red Scale, either upon the bark, leaves, or
fruit—a result which so far as I am aware has never been obtained by the use of any
kind of aspray. The cost of treating trees with the gas is scarcely greater than that
of using a spray, while the method has been so greatly simplified that trees can now
be treated with the gas very nearly as rapidly as they can be sprayed. Ihave not as
yet learned that any person, or even a single domestic animal, has ever been acci-
dentally injured either by the gas itself or by the materials used in producing it. All
of the objections which at first were urged against the use of this gas—the danger of
being poisoned by it or by the chemicals used, the great expense attached to its use,
and the impracticability of operating the tents—have finally been overcome, and the
treatment is now in successful operation.
In my last report I gave an account of the spraying of a number of orange trees
at Orange according to instructions. These trees were not again sprayed until the
lapse of a little over one year, At this latter date the trees were again badly infested
19
20
with the Red Seale ( Aspidiotus awrantii Maskell), although these were not so numer-
ous as they were at the time that I had them sprayed a little over one year previously.
The oranges when gathered in the following spring were quite free from the scales,
none of them having been rejected by the purchaser on account of being too badly
infested with these pests. Those who depend upon spraying for ridding their trees
of these scales usually spray their trees twice a year, in March or April, and again
in August or September, although some growers perform these operations only in the
autumn, the second spraying being given to the trees about two months after the
first.
During the past season I have received numerous favors from you, especially in
the matter of identifying insects, for all of which please accept thanks.
Respectfully yours,
D. W. CoQuiLLeTt.
Prom ©. Va KODE,
United States Entomologist.
THE GAS TREATMENT FOR THE RED SCALE.
The process of treating trees with hydrocyanic acid gas for the de-
struction of scale insects (Family Coccid) is now being extensively
used in southern California, not only in the orange groves, but also in
the nursery where the imported trees are subjected to this treatment
for the purpose of ridding them of insect pests. In Orange County
alone fully 20,000 orange and lemon trees have been subjected to this
treatment the present year in order to free them from the red scale
(Aonidia aurantit Maskell).
_ Since the year 1887 various accounts of this process have been pub-
lished in some of the Annual Reports and Periodical Bulletins of this
Department.*
But as these are somewhat scattered, and include an account of the
various improvements that have been made from time to time, I have
thought it desirable to give in this place a brief account of this process
as at present used in actual field work, including in the account such
improvements as have been made since writing up my last report upon
this subject. Briefly speaking, this process consists in covering the
infested tree with an air-tight tent and afterward charging the tent
with hydrocyanic acid gas. The material commonly used in the con-
struction of the tent is what is known as blue or brown drilling. A
few persons have used common ducking in place of the drilling, but
this is much inferior to the latter; in the ducking the threads of which
it is composed extend only lengthwise and crosswise, whereas in the
drilling they also extend diagonally—this belonging to the class of
goods to which our merchants apply the term “ twilled”—and for this
reason the drilling is both stronger and closer in texture than the
ducking. ;
*See Annual Report United States Department of Agriculture for the year 1887,
pp-123-142; and 1888, pp. 123-126, Also InsEcr Lire, vol. 1, pp. 41,42 and 286; and
vol. 11, p. 202-207,
21
After the tent is sewed up it is given a coat of black paint, as it has
been ascertained that tents treated in this manner last longer than
those which have been simply oiled with linseed oil. Some persons mix
a small quantity of soap suds with the paint in order to render the lat-
ter more pliable when dry, and therefore less liable to crack. Instead
of thus painting the tent some persons simply give it a coating made of
an inferior grade of glue called “ size,” first dissolving this in water and
then covering the tent with it, using a whitewash brush for this pur-
pose. Sometimes a small quantity of whiting or chalk (carbonate of
lime, Ca Co;),is added to this sizing with or without the addition of lamp-
black. A few make use of the mucilaginous juice of the common Cactus
(Opuntia engelmanni Sali.) for this purpose; to obtain this the Cactus
leaves or stems are cut or broken up into pieces, thrown into a barrel
and covered with water, after which they are allowed to soak for three
or four days; the liquid portion is then drawn off and is ready for use
without further preparation. Tents which I saw that had been pre-
pared with this substance were to all appearances as air-tight and pli-
able as when prepared in any other manner.
A tent 26 feet tall by 60 feet in cireumference—a size large enough to
cover the largest orange tree now growing in this State—if made out of
drilling, and either painted or sized, as described above, will cost com-
pleted about $60. Where the trees to be treated are not more than 12
feet tall the tent can be placed over them by means of poles in the
hands of three persons; to accomplish this, three iron rings are sewed to
the tent at equal distances around and 6 or 7 feet from the bottom of
the tent; immediately under each of these rings an iron hook is attached
to the lower edge of the tent. When the latter is to be placed over a
tree each of the hooks is fastened into the corresponding ring above it ;
one end of a pole is then inserted into each of these rings and the tent
raised up and placed on the tree. The hooks are then released from the
rings and the lower edge of the tent allowed to drop upon the ground.
Instead of allowing the tent to rest directly on the tree some growers
use an umbrella-like arrangement, the handle of which is in two pieces,
which are fastened together with clamps provided with pins; this
allows the handle to be lengthened or shortened according to the height
of the tree. This apparatus is put up over the tree and the tent allowed
to rest upon it. By the use of this simple device the danger of break-
ing off the small twigs on the upper part of the tree by the weight of
the tent is avoided. Mr. Leslie, of Orange, used four tents and tent-
rests of this kind, and he informs me that with the aid of two men he
tumigated 120 trees in one night. To remove the tent from one tree,
place it over another, and charge the generator required only one minute
and a half. In the place of poles some persons attach a circle of gas
pipe to the lower edge of the tent; then two men, each taking hold of
opposite sides of this circle, throw the tent over the tree. Dr. J. H.
Dunn, of Pomona, informs me that four men, using six tents like the
22
above, fumigated 240 orange trees in one night, and that the average
for each night was over 200 trees, the latter being 8 feet or less in
height.
Trees over 12 feet tall will require a derrick of some kind for the pur-
pose of putting on the tent and removing it again. For this purpose a
stout mast is erected in the center of a strong framework mounted
upon the running gears of a common farm wagon, the height of the
mast depending upon the height of the trees to be operated upon. This
mast is braced in four directions, and to the upper end of it is firmly
attached a cross-piece, extending transversely to the length of the
wagon, and long enough to reach from one row of trees to another. To
each end of this cross-piece are attached small pulleys, through which
pass ropes which are attached to the tents; by pulling down on these
ropes the tents are drawn up to the cross piece after which the wagon
is drawn ahead until the tents are directly over two of the trees to be
treated; the ropes are then let out and the tents lowered down over
the trees. The ropes are usually attached to the lower edge of the
tents as well as to their apices, and when the tent is to be taken off of
the tree the ropes attached to the bottom of it are first pulled down-
ward, thus drawing the lower part of the tent up to the cross-piece
first, and in a measure tarning the tent inside out. But for this device
it would be necessary to have the cross-piece at least twice the height
of the trees to be operated upon. This apparatus is drawn between
two rows of trees and the trees on each side of it treated with, the gas.
It iscustomary for the men themselves to draw the fumigator from tree
to tree, thus doing away with the use of horses for this purpose. Stout
planks are frequently used for the wheels of the fumigator to run upon.
A fumigator of this kind, without the accompanying wagons and tents,
ean be built for about $15, it being the cheapest and simplest apparatus
ever used for this purpose. It has not as yet been patented, and is
more largely used at the present time than any other kind, operating
the tents successfully even upon the largest orange trees. The first
fumigator of this kind was built by Mr. O. H. Leefeld, a prominent
orange-grower of Orange, and a man who has had considerable experi-
ence as a machinist.
Within the past few weeks a new kind of a fumigator has been
brought out by Mr. W. H. Souther, of Covina, Los Angeles County,
Cal. This, like the preceding one, is mounted upon a common farm
wagon, and operates two tents, one on either side of it. At each end
of this fumigator are four upright posts attached at their lower ends to
the framework, which is mounted on the wagon; the outermost posts
are shorter than the inner ones, and to the upper end of each is attached
a long spar by a hinged joint, which allows the spar to be moved back
and forth transversely to the length of the wagon. The two spars on
one side of the fumigator are connected with each other near their upper
ends by means of a wooden cross-piece, and are drawn back and forth
23
by means of ropes passing through pulleys. The tents are operated by
means of ropes, which pass through pulleys attached to the spars and
cross-pieces described above, there being five ropes attached to each
tent; one of these is attached to the apex of the tent, and passes
through a pulley fastened to the middle of the above-mentioned cross-
piece; two other ropes are attached to opposite sides of the tent, about
midway between its apex and base, and pass through pulleys fastened
to each of the spars near their upper ends; the other two ropes are
attached to opposite sides of the lower edge of the tent and pass through
pulleys fastened to each of the spars a few feet higher up than those
above described. To the bottom of the tent is attached a wooden eir-
cle in several pieces, and the two ropes attached to the bottom of the
tent are fastened to this circle; these ropes are not exactly on opposite
sides of the tent, the space between them equaling about one-third of
the entire circumference of the lower edge of the tent.
In taking the tent off of a tree the two ropes attached to the tent
midway between its base and apex are first drawn downward until their
points of attachment are slightly above the top of the tree, after which
the two ropes attached to the lower edge of the tent are drawn down-
ward until their points of attachment are drawn up against the spars
at the places wliere the pulleys through which these ropes pass are fas-
tened ; the lower edge of the tent at this stage will be perpendicular
to the surface of the ground, and these ropes are further pulled upon
until the spars on this side of the wagon are perpendicular to the
wagon, thus bringing the weight of the tent upon the middle of the
wagon; the spars are prevented from going over backward any farther
by the presence of the inner upright posts referred to at the beginning
of this description. When both of the tents have thus been drawn upon
the wagon the latter is moved forward until the tents are brought op-
posite the next two trees. Before the tents are again let down over
the trees the fumigator is first braced up by means of four long braces
attached to each of the four corner posts at a distance of about 8 feet
from the ground; these are attached in such a manner that they may
be swung out at right angles to the fumigator, or, when not in use, may
be swung around and loaded upon the wagon without first detaching
them. After these four braces are in position the ropes attached to one
of the tents are let out and the tent allowed to fall down over the tree,
a guide-rope being attached to its lower edge to aid in guiding it in its
downward descent over the tree.
Mr. Souther, the inventor of this fumigator, informs me that a fumi-
gator of this kind, without the wagon and tents, could be built for about
$60. He also informs me that a patent has been granted to him upon
this fuinigator.
Besides the above fumigators IT may also mention one which has been
used in a few instances with very good results. It is an extremely
simple affair, consisting of an upright post the lower end of which is
24
attached to a framework on a wagon or sled, while to its upper end is
attached a long stick of timber, the latter being attached near its middle
to the top of the post, like the sweep of an old-fashioned well. The
tent is then attached to one end of the sweep, and by pulling downward
on the opposite end the tent is raised up, and may then be swung
around and let down over a tree.
After the tent is placed over the tree the next step is to charge it
with the gas. The materials used for the production of the gas consist
of commercial sulphuric acid (Ky SO,), fused potassium cyanide (KON),
and water, the proportions being 1 fluid ounce of the acid, 1 ounce by
weight of the dry cyanide, and 2 fluid ounces of water. The generator
is placed under the tent at the base of the tree; it consists of a common
open earthenware vessel. The water is first placed in the generator,
then the acid, and last the cyanide, after which the operator withdraws
to the outside of the tent and the bottom of the latter is fastened down
by having a few shovelfuls of earth thrown uponit. The tent is allowed
to remain over the tree for a period of from 15 to 30 minutes, according
to the size of the tree.
It was found by experimenting that the trees were less liable to be
injured by the gas when treated at night than they were when operated
upon in day time, and at the same time the gas is just as fatal to the
scale insects when applied at night as it would be if applied in the day
time; and indeed it appears to be even more fatal when applied at night.
This is accounted for by reason of the fact that in the day time the light
and heat decompose the gas into other gases which, while being more
hurtful to the trees, are not so fatal to insects. At night the trees are
also more or less in a State of rest, and therefore are not so liable to be
injured by the gas as they would be in the day time, when they are
actively engaged in absorbing nourishment and replacing wasted tissue
with new materials.
Of the different materials used in generating the gas, the most
important is the potassium cyanide; of this there are three grades:
The mining cyanide, commercial cyanide, and the C. P. (chemically
pure). Of these three brands, the mining cyanide is wholly unsuitable
for the production of the gas, and the ©. P. is too expensive; the com-
mercial brand (fused) is the only one that is used for producing the
gas, but even this varies greatly in strength, containing all the way
from 33 to 58 per cent. of pure potassium cyanide. It is, therefore, of
the utmost importance that the operator should know the exact per-
centage of pure potassium cyanide that his cyanide contains, and when
large quantities of it are purchased at one time it would be advisable
to obtain one or more analyses of it by a reliable analytical chemist ;
or if it is not possible to submit the cyanide to such person, an analysis
of it could be made by almost any person accustomed to the use of
chemicals or drugs.
The only substance required for this purpose is the crystals of nitrate
~
25
of silver (AgNO;), which may be obtained at almost any well-stocked
drug store. Dissolve the nitrate in cold water contained in a glass or
earthen vessel, using one-fourth of an ounce (Troy) of the crystals to 1
pint of water; this dissolves ina few minutes, forming a whitish, semi-
transparent solution. The cyanide, when dissolved in water, forms a
transparent, nearly colorless solution; when a small quantity of the
nitrate of silver solution is added to this it at first spreads out in a white
cloud, like milk, but it soon breaks up into small, white, floccy pisces
which gradually disappear upon being agitated, leaving the solution
nearly as transparent as at first; when more of the nitrate of silver
Solution is added from time to time the above process is repeated, ex-
cept toward the last, when the cyanide solution becomes somewhat
milky, but it still remainssemitransparent, permitting the operator to see
quite clearly the bottom of the vessel containing the solution. As soon
as a sufficient quantity of the nitrate of silver solution has been added
tothe cyanide solution thelatter immediately becomes white and opaque,
like milk, completely concealing from view the bottom of the vessel con-
taining it. This completes the operation, and the quantity of nitrate
of silver solution used will indicate the strength of the cyanide tested,
When absolutely pure, 53 grains of the potassium cyanide dissolved in
water will require 1 fluid ounce of the above nitrate of silver solution
before the turbidity occurs, indicating that the cyanide is 100 per cent.
strong; if only one-half of a fluid ounce of the nitrate of silver solution
produces this turbidity, this indicates that the cyanide in only half
strength, or 50 per cent. strong; if only one-fourth of a fluid ounce is
required, then the cyanide is 25 per cent. strong; and so forth. The
nitrate of silver solution should be added to the cyanide solution very
slowly, the latter being agitated by gently shaking it each time that
any of the nitrate solution is added. Wherever any of the nitrate of
Silver solution comes in contact with the skin or nails of the hand it
produces a reddish or black stain which can easily be removed by wash-
ing the stained part in a solution of potassium cyanide and water; this
will quickly remove the stain without causing any injury to the parts
affected, except, of course, when the stains occur upon a sore or cut in
the hand, in which case it would be very dangerous to apply the cyanide
to these places.
It sometimes happens that the percentage of cyanogen (CN or Cy)is
given, instead of the percentage of potassium cyanide (KON or KCy);
but in cases of this kind the percentage of cyanide can be readily ascer-
tained by always bearing in mind that two-fifths of a given quantity of
potassium cyanide is cyanogen. Thus if a certain brand of cyanide
contains 24 per cent of cyanogen, this is equivalent to 60 per cent of
pure potassium cyanide. Potassium cyanide when absolutely pure
(equal to 100 per cent.) contains 40 per cent. of cyanogen; and, there-
fore, no grade of cyanide could contain a larger percentage of cyano-
gen than this.
26
The potassium cyanide used for producing the hydrocyanic acid gas
is principally manufactured by two firms: Power & Weightman, of
Philadelphia, Pa., and the Mallinkrodt Chemical Works, of St. Louis,
Mo. That made by the first named firm is the most largely used ; when
purchased by the ton the price is 36 cents per pound for the grade con-
taining about 57 per ceit of pure potassium cyanide, packages and
carriage extra. It is put up in tin cans holding 10 pounds each, and
also in barrels holding about 400 pounds each. That in the cans is
much to be preferred, since the quantity in each is so small that it will
soon be used up after the can is opened; whereas, the barrel contain-
jug so large a quantity, the cyanide used toward the last will have lost
much of its strength by contact with the air. It is customary to weigh
out the cyanide in small paper parcels, and mark each parcel with the
number of ounces of cyanide that it contains; then when the tree is to
be fumigated it is an easy matter for the operator to select one of the
parcels containing a sufficient quantity of the cyanide for the tree, thus
saving the trouble of weighing out the cyanide as it is to be used for
each tree. As the fumigating is done only at night the weighing of the
cyanide is frequently done by the ladies of the house upon the day pre-
ceding its use.
The quantity of cyanide to be used on each tree will, of course, de-
pend not only upon the size of the tree but also upon the strength of the
eyanide used. The following table will aid in determining the proper
quantity of each ingredient to be used on different sized citrus trees,
the cyanide being about 58 per cent pure:
Height Diameter Sulphuric | Potassium
of tree. | of tree-top. Water. acid. cyanide.
Feet. Feet. Fluid ozs. | Fluid ozs. Ounces.
6 4 3 4 A
8 6 2 1 1
10 8 43 24 24
12 10 8 4 4
12 14 16 8 8
14 10 10 5 5
14 14 19 9h 94
16 12 16 8
16 16 29 144 144
18 14 26 13 13
20 16 36 18 18
22 18 52 26 26
24 20 66 33 33
Not only is this gas fatal to the Red scale (Aspidiotus aurantit Mas-
kell), but also to the San José scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock),
and indeed to all of the armored scales. It is also fatal to the Brown
seale (Lecanium hesperidum Linn.) and to the Black seale (Lecaniwm
olee Bernard), but the eggs of this species are not affected by it.
The common Red Spider (Tetranychus telarius Linn.) and the Woolly
Aphis (Schizoneura lanigera Hausmann) are also not affected by the gas
when used strong enough to destroy the Red scale, although I have
known it to prove fatal to true spiders (species not determined). House-
flies (Musca domestica Linn.), Lace-winged flies (Chrysopa sp.?), and cer-
27
tain kinds of Ichneumon flies (Ophion macrurum Linn.) are also de-
stroyed by the gas. On one occasion I obtained a cluster of eggs of a
species of Psocus fly (Cacilius aurantiacus Hagen) that were deposited
upon a leaf of a tree before the latter had been treated with the gas,
and from these eggs afterwards issued a number of parasitie flies be-
longing to the family Proctotrupid and to the genus Alaptus; but the
species is as yet undescribed. Various kinds of Lady-birds, which are
in the tree when the latter is treated with the gas, become stupefied and
fall to the ground, but finally recover and are to all appearance none
the worse for their temporary loss of consciousness. Birds, lizards, and
even barn-yard fowls sometimes refuse to leave the large orange trees
while the tent is being let down over them at night, and are therefore
inclosed in the tent and subjected to the gas; the latter proves fatal to
all of these. The small, pale yellow mites which are frequently found
on orange trees, especially beneath the dead scales, are not affected by
the gas; these have a general resemblance to the young of the Red seale,
and several operators, finding these mites still alive after the tree had
been subjected to the gas, came to the erroneous conclusion that the
gas had not been effectual, thinking that these mites were the young of
the Red scale.
From the above it will be seen that the gas treatment is not a sure
specific for every kind of insect pest, but for destroying Red scales on
citrus trees it is far superior to any other method at present known.
THE RESIN WASH FOR THE SAN JOSE SCALE.
During the past winter I carried on quite a series of experiments with
various kinds of washes for the destruction of the San José scale
(Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock) on dormant deciduous trees, kindly
placed at my disposal by Mr. C. H. Richardson, the inspector of fruit
pests for the Pasadena district, Mr. Richardson also aiding me in mak-
ing many of these experiments. Among all of the washes tried the fol-
lowing gave the best results:
IRESe ata tee scisie aie is aclaece male wancteisc se ace ees arene pounds.. 30
Caustic sodan@i0sper: CENb) cea a. -ress aoe eee een == sees Ones
INGO Gilles ds c6ec 6s ee peS ap eneee PeeHeeeean nopenonee ao ncre pints... 44
Waterenough toimake -.)---- o-ssen eee eee Smee neallons.. 100
For making 100 gallons of the above wash a kettle holding 30 gallons
will be required. Place all of the ingredients in the kettle and cover
with water to a depth of 4 or 5inches, boil briskly for about 2 hours, or
until it will dilute evenly with water, like black coffee, which it closely
resembles in color. When this stage is reached the kettle should be
filled up with water, adding this very slowly at first; the contents of
the kettle can then be emptied into a tank or other vessel, and a suffi-
cient quantity of water added to make 100 gallons. Care should be
taken not to chill the wash by adding large quantities of cold water at
one time.
28
The making of this wash will be greatly accelerated if the resin and
caustic soda are first pulverized before being placed in the kettle; if in
large pieces, a considerable length of time will be required in which to
dissolve them. Ifa sufficient quantity of water is not used at first the
materials when dissolved will form a thick, pasty mass, which simply
breaks open in places to allow the steam to escape, and pieces of the
mixture will be thrown out of the boiler or against its sides or lid by
the escaping steam. When this occurs, water should be added until
the solution boils up in a foamy mass. Whenever there is a tendency
to boil over a small quantity of cold water should be added, but not
too much, or the making of the solution will be retarded; after a few
trials the operator will learn how much water to add in order to pre-
vent the solution from boiling over and yet keep it in a brisk state of
ebullition. If it is not desired to add all of the water at the same time
that the solution is made, then enough can be added to equal two-
fifths of the quantity required; the balance of the water can then be
added at any subsequent time without again heating the solution.
Thus, if a sufficient quantity of the solution is boiled to make when
diluted 100 gallons, this could first be diluted to make only 40 gallons,
and the remaining 60 gallons of water added at any time as required.
If it is desired to use it in a still more concentrated form than this, it
need not be diluted at all after it has been boiled sufficiently, but in
this case it will be necessary to heat it again before adding the water.
On the 11th of February, between the hours of 1:30 and 4:20 p. mn.
(sun shining, light breeze), I had 60 dormant deciduous fruit trees
sprayed with the above solution. These consisted of peach, plum, apple,
pear, and quince trees; none of them had started to leaf out except the
quince, which had put forth a few leaves at the tips of some of its
branches. Each of these trees was infested with the San José scale
(Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock) and several of them had been almost
killed by the attacks of this pest. April 23 I made a careful examina-
tion of these trees and found only a very few living San José scales;
all of thetrees except those which were nearly dead when sprayed were
now making avigorous growth. May 12 lagain examined these trees,
and found living San José scales on only three of them, about half a
dozen scales on each. I made another examination on the 11th day of
June, and found a few San José scales on some of the pears on the
above trees. All of the Black scales (Lecanium olee Bernard) which
I found on these trees were dead, and their eggs were dry. July 241
again examined these trees and found three or four living San José
scales on a few pears and apples on some of the trees, but the fruit was
practically clean, whereas on adjoiping trees which had not been
sprayed nearly all of the pears were very badly infested with these
scales. There was, however, a singular exception to this: A LeConte
pear tree that stood in the midst of several Bartlett and Winter Nelis
pear trees, which were very badly infested with the San José scale, was,
29
wholly free from this pest. Nor is this an isolated case, since I saw
the same thing in another pear orchard located several miles from this
one. Mr. Richardson informs me, however, that the fruit of this tree
is almost worthless.
Wishing to test the effects of the above wash on growing trees, I
sprayed a prune, peach, apricot, apple, and orange tree on the 12th day
of May, between the hours of 10 and 11 a. m., sun shining, light breeze.
I examined these on the 11th of June; on the prune all of the fruit had
dropped off, and upon one-third of the leaves were dead brown spots,
these spots not exceeding one-sixth of the entire surface of any of the
leaves; on the peach all of the fruit was dead, but still clinging to the
tree, and half the leaves had brown spots in them, these leaves being
much more injured than were those on the prune tree; on the apricot
the fruit was not injured in the least and three-fourths of the leaves
were uninjured, but the remaining leaves had small brown spots in
them, these spots not exceeding one-fifteenth of the surface on any of
the leaves; on the apple all of the fruit had dropped off and half the
leaves had large brown spots in them, these spots sometimes exceeding
one-half of the entire surface of the leaf; on the orange nearly all of
the fruit had dropped off (the young oranges being about half an inch
in diameter), but the leaves were uninjured.
This indicates that of the different kinds of fruit thus experimented
upon the apricot was the hardiest and was the least affected by the
wash ; next to the apricot is the orange, then the prune, after this the
peach, the apple having suffered most from the effect of the wash.
The orange tree experimented upon was infested with the Yellow
scale (Aspidiotus citrinus), and also with the Black scale (Lecanium olew
Bernard), and all of these, as well as the eggs of the Black scale, were
destroyed by the wash.
According to the scale of prices furnished me by the Los Angeles
Soap Company of this city, the material for making 100 gallons of the
above wash, when purchased in large quantities, would amount to $1.14,
being but a trifle over 1 cent a gallon for the diluted wash.
The materials used in preparing the above wash are the same as
those I used in spraying orange trees last season for the destruction of
the Ked scale (Aspidiotus aurantit Maskell), an account of which is
given in my report to Professor Riley for last year, published in Bulle-
tin No. 22 of the Division of Entomology (pp. 10-14); but the spray I
then used was only three-fifths as strong as the one I used for the de-
struction of the San José scale as above described. On the 19th of
December I tested the spray of the same strength that I had used
for the Red scale on orange trees, but it did not prove fatal to all of
the San José scales that it came in contact with.
The question as to the manner 1n which the above resin spray proves
fatal to the scale insects—whether the caustic property imparted by the
caustic soda is the destructive agent, or whether it is the suffocating
30
eftect of the resin and fish oil saponified by the caustic soda that pro-
duces this result—is a very important one. Quite a number of our
fruit growers were at first inclined to believe that it is the caustic prop-
erty of the wash that destroys the scale insect, and they therefore in-
creased the quantity of this particular ingredient, only to find that the
wash so constituted is not apparently more fatal to the insects, while
at the same time it is very liable to injure the fruit. My own studies
and experiments lead me to believe that the above sprays kill for the
most part by suffocation. In the course of experimenting I found that
a wash composed of the following ingredients:
(ORI NO SINETS ES paanise oe oossoc Cans saadoo coucmadan sooo cee see pounds... 8
IRGSI 2 oe siocissc oes oes, eae ase hon neon eae ne cee a= doxs2 08
Water enough to make -.......- Boe oF Oreos gallons.. 100
did not prove fatal to as large a percentage of Red scale as did one con-
sisting of:
CREO) oti bin cedode bon cadeSes Joan casasbbedo Scsbid6on sbO4¢ pounds... 6
INU GSO GEA. Sans Bae SIRE OA DOORN bases Hiden Saaganao besos CaOnSeSss CWSae5 PAY
PIS) Ole poecsoemccas Scbane seen cecedo coon esse doo Ghecoss ase pints... 3
Water enough tocmake!<-s- is. <5 cases cesses ee en ees esse gallons.. 100
Now, if it is the caustic property of the wash that proves fatal to the
scale insects, it is evident that the wash containing the largest amount
of the caustic agent would prove fatal to the largest number of scale
insects, but the reverse of this was really the case; the wash containing
the smallest amountof the caustic agent, the caustic property of which
was still further lessened by the addition of the oil, proved fatal to the
largest number of the insects. On the other hand, the addition of the
oil, while reducing the caustic property of the wash, would increase its
varnishing qualities, since it is a fact well-known to painters that the
addition of oil to a varnish improves its qualities. For these reasons
it seems quite certain that it is the suffocating properties of the wash
and not its caustic nature that cause it to prove fatal to the scale insects
which have been sprayed with it.
I have seen orange trees that had been sprayed with a wash so caustic
that it killed fully nine-tenths of the leaves on the trees, burnt the bark
brown, and caused nearly all the oranges to drop off, and yet quite a
number of the Red scale insects located on the oranges still remaining
on the tree were alive. This will show the utter uselessuess of attempt-
ing to destroy the Red scale on citrus trees by the use of caustic washes.
THE LIME, SALT, AND SULPHUR WASH FOR THE SAN JOSE SCALE.
For destroying the San José scale (Aspidiotus perniciosus Comstock)
on dormant deciduous fruit trees many growers in this State use a wash
composed of the following ingredients in the proportions here given :
Salphunye Ps ssc ote sess =e ceaer as See eee ae eeieee ats pounds.. 33
WGN tcp see ot =o cess ertcee cine eciee AOe Oleae eee ee Seine doz -< 42
Silt.s. sarrieieccns- cols wonece ee ie celee ee ce ee eee Eee sae do22 sree
Water enough to make......--.,--- cece Spo cao nooranecar gallons.. 100
31
All the sulphur and half of the lime are placed in a kettle and 33
gallons of water added, after which the contents of the kettle are boiled
briskly for about 1 hour; the solution will then be of a very dark brown
color and having a reddish tint. All of the salt is added to the remain-
ing 21 pounds of lime and the latter slaked, after which this slaked
lime and salt are added to the above described sulphur and lime solu-
tion and the whole then diluted with a sufficient quantity of water to
make 100 gallons; this is then strained, after which it is ready to be
sprayed upon the trees.
This does not form a perfectly liquid solution but contains a consid-
erable quantity of undissolved sulphur and lime, which soon settles to
the bottom unless the solution is stirred almost constantly while being
sprayed on the trees. It is therefore somewhat of the nature of a thin
whitewash, and the trees sprayed with it have the appearance of hay-
ing been whitewashed. On the 26th of November, at 12:45 p. m., sun
shining, light breeze, I sprayed a pear tree with a wash made according
to the above directions, the tree being very thickly infested with the
San José scale. January 15 I found 14 living San José scales on this
tree, and on the 23d of April I found several more; on the 11th of
June I found on this tree a Black scale (Lecanium olew Bernard) con-
taining healthy eggs.
I also tested this wash in the following proportions ;
Sm Tere elo nts retctn stein oeiniele's orale ats, is) Aeleedajsieriseins Bene sae <= pounds.. 50
ILA Behe Seca pec neO Oberon BOSH OSS Dot SORaonE NO Ee eae HorSpetnas do... -63
Sli ocano os6G00 sso S6eneedan esooDd bOOD0e RobSSdioDeses caso naeE CWscse Bi
Wyiiterzen Gum bh tonm ale ceca oss seisinisioreielao ae iaierte sicialcl ae gallons.. 100
This was applied to a pear tree at 1 p. m., November 26, sun shining,
light breeze. On January 15 I found 6 living San José scales on this
tree, and on the 23d I found several more.
At the time of making these tests there were several green leaves on
each of these trees, but all of these were killed by the washes. The
trees otherwise were not apparently injured, and in the following spring
started into a vigorous growth which was continued throughout the
summer. These trees were not over 10 feet tall, and were very thor-
oughly sprayed, so if seems quite certain that every scale insect located
upon them must have been covered with the wash.
The philosophy of this wash is not at present clearly understood. 1
seems very probable however that the product of the lime and sulphur
(bisulphide of lime, CaS.) furnishes the insecticidal property, and the
presence of the salt and slaked lime simply imparts permanency to the
-wash. I made quite a series ef experiments with the above-named in-
gredients, with a view of ascertaining which of the ingredients were
really insecticides, but these experiments have thus far resulted nega-
tively. The following is a brief account of these experiments :
SAL1?.—Experiment 229: Table salt, 19 pounds; water, 100 gallons.
I simply dissolved the salt in cold water and then sprayed the solution
32
on a pear tree at 12:50 p. m., November 26, sun shining, light breeze.
This did not kill all of the green leaves that were upon the tree. Jan-
uary 15 I found a great many living San José scales on this tree.
Experiment 228: Salt, 38 pounds; water, 100 gallons. Dissolved the
salt in water as before and sprayed on a pear tree at noon, November 26,
sun shining, light breeze. This killed all of the green leaves that were
upon the tree. January 15, I found many living San José scales on this
tree.
Experiment 257: Salt, 60 pounds; water, 100 gallons. Dissolved the
salt as before and sprayed on a pear tree at 10 a. m., January 20, sun
shining, light breeze. April 23, I found a great many living San José
scales on this tree.
SALT AND LiME.—Experiment 238: Salt, 25 pounds; slaked lime,
84 pounds; water, 100 gallons. The salt and lime were added to the
cold water, stirred occasionally, and strained through a piece of Swiss
muslin and then sprayed upon a pear tree at 10:30 a. m., January 30,
sun shining, light breeze. April 23 I found a great many living San
José scales on this tree.
SALT AND SULPHUR.—Experiment 232: Salt, 25 pounds; sulphur,
75 pounds; water, enough to make 100 gallons. The sulphur was boiled
for an hour in 75 gallons of water, after which the salt was added, and
the solution diluted with a sufficient quantity of cold water to make 100
gallons. After standing for a few minutes the greater portion of the
sulphur settled to the bottom, making it necessary to stir the solution
almost constantly while applying it to the tree. Sprayed on a pear tree
at 2:45 p. m., November 26, sun shining, light breeze; this killed all of
the green leaves on the tree. January 15 I found a great many living
San José scales on this tree.
SuLPHUR.—Experiment 233: Sulphur, 100 pounds; water, enough to
make 100 gallons. Placed the sulphur in the water and boiled for 1
hour, then when cold, sprayed the solution on a pear tree at 3 p.m.
November 26, sun shining, light breeze. This did not injure any of the
green leaves that were on the tree. January 15 I found a great many
living San José scales on this tree, a smaller proportion being killed
than in either of the preceding experiments.
LimE.—Experiment 239: Slaked lime, 10 pounds; water, enough
to make 100 gallons. The lime was placed in the water, stirred occa-
sionally and in two hours the solution was strained through a piece of
thin Swiss muslin and sprayed upon a pear tree at 10:45 a. m. January
20, sun shining, light breeze. April 23, I found a great many living
San José scales on this tree.
LIME AND SULPHUR.—Experiment 240: Quicklime (CaO), 100
pounds; sulphur, 334 pounds; water, enough to make 100 gallons.
Placed the lime and sulphur ina copper vessel, added 30 gallons of
water, and boiled for two hours, then filtered. The solution was of a deep
orange-red color. After standing for a few minutes needle-like crystals
Jo
somewhat resembling the down on the seeds of thistles separated out.
These were composed of bisulphide of lime (CaS,) and being freely solu-
ble in water, were dissolved when the balance of the water was added.
In this action all of the sulphur had been incorporated with the lime,
since the residue when dried would not ignite. Added a sufficient
quantity of water to the above solution and sprayed an apple tree with
it at 10:30 a. m. Mareh 18, sun shining, light breeze.
About 14 hours after making the above experiment it began to rain
very gently and this was continued for 24 hours. April 23, I found a
great many living San José scales on this tree. At the time of making
the above test I also sprayed some of the solution on a branch of a
peach tree in full blossom, but this did not appear to produce any in-
jurious effect upon the blossom, since at the time of my visit on the
23d of April this branch bore as many peaches as did any of those L
had not sprayed. It seems almost certain that the rain, coming on so
soon after the wash was applied, rendered neutral the effect of the
above solution on the scale insects sprayed with it. I have seen
orange trees that had been sprayed with the resin wash on a certain
day and a rain occurred during the night following the application ;
but the wash did not prove fatal to nearly as large a percentage of the
red scales as would bave been the case had no rain occurred.
On the same day that the above test was made (March 18), I also
tried the above mentioned lime and sulphur solution at half strength,
but it did not produce any apparent effect upon the San José scales
infesting the tree sprayed with it.. It was now too late in the season
to make additional tests of this solution, but [ hope to be able to fol-
low up this subject during the coming winter.
From the above experiments it would appear that neither lime, salt,
nor sulphur when used separately are effectual in destroying the San
José scale; and the same is true in regard to any two of them when
used in combination, except, perhaps, the lime and sulphur, which have
not as yet been sufficiently tested. It is very probable, however, that
these two ingredients give to the wash its insecticidal property, while
the addition of the slaked lime and salt simply impart stability to the
wash, rendering it less liable to be washed off the trees by the winter
rains. Should this surmise prove correct, then the directions given at
the head of this article for preparing this wash should be changed, an
equal number of pounds of lime being required with the 33 pounds of
sulphur, instead of only 21 pounds of lime, as at present used.
I experienced considerable difficulty in preparing and applying this
wash, owing to the fact that some of the materials used are not solu-
ble in water, necessitating an almost constant stirring of the solution
while it is being sprayed upon the trees. On this account it is quite im-
possible to spray it uniformly upon all of the trees, and this difficulty
has also been experienced by each of our fruit-growers who have used it
and with whom [ have conversed upon the subject, or who have written
25910—Bull. 2 3
34
to me in regard to it. Some of the trees sprayed by this solution
would be very much whitened, as if whitewashed, whereas other trees
sprayed from the same tank as these would be scarcely discolored by
the wash. Itis, of course, the slaked lime added to the solution that
causes it to give the trees the appearance of having been whitewashed,
since neither the salt nor the sulphur discolor the tree to any appreci-
able extent, and the same is true of the bisulphite of lime, which is pro-
duced by boiling the quicklime and sulphur together.
The cost of 100 gallons of this wash according to prices furnished me
by Howell & Craig, wholesale grocers, of this city, for the sulphur and
salt, and by the Southern California Lumber Company, also of this
city, for the lime, is as follows, the materials being purchased in large
quantities :
Sulphur, so pountds;av2+ cents per pounds jas) 1 os sass eee eee $0. 70
Lame, 42 pounds, ati, ofa cent per pound 2... 44-52 s2-- eee eee 533
Salt,2o pounds, ab op) Of a) Cont per pound.)-se eee e-=s eae eee silil
Dotalsssscmsnssuthecccksees se ckuas as tose teccee wes ceemerneeers $1.14
The salt quoted aboveisapoor grade, such as is used for salting hides,
and the price quoted is by the ton; the sulphur is in sacks, and the
lime in barrels containing about 220 pounds each.
Of the two washes above described—the resin, caustic soda, and fish
oil, and the lime, salt, and sulphur washes—the one containing resin is
greatly to be preferred. Not only is this wash easier to prepare than
the other, but it is also much easier to apply it to the trees, since it is
perfectly soluble in water and therefore does not require to be stirred
while being sprayed upon the trees. For this reason more uniform re-
sults will be obtained by its use than would be obtained by using the
sulphur wash. Moreover, the resin wash, by being properly diluted,
can ‘also be used in the summer season, and thus only one wash need be
used at any time of the year. In my own experiments better results
were obtained by the use of the resin wash than were produced by the
sulphur wash. The price per gallon of each of these washes is about
the same. The sulphur wash should never be used on trees in leaf nor
on those just starting to leaf out, and this is also true of the resin wash
when made according to the formula given in the preceding article.
MISCELLANEOUS EXPERIMENTS.
CORROSIVE SUBLIMATE (also known as mercuric chloride, HgCl2).—
Some time ago one of the Horticultural Commissioners of San Ber-
nardino County remarked to me that he had used a simple solution of
corrosive sublimate for the purpose of destroying various kinds of scale
insects on nursery trees, and had obtained very good results by the
use of the same; and it was also reported in some of the San Diego
papers that a gentleman living in that county had obtained better re-
sults by the use of a solution of the above kind than he had by using
any other kind of insecticide for the destruction of the black scale.
35
Thinking the subject worthy of investigation, I made a few experi-
ments with this substance, but the results were far from being satis-
factory. I dissolved the sublimate in cold water by frequent stirring ;
this required about 15 minutes, and the solution was of a dark bluish-
gray color. Following is a brief account of these experiments:
(224) Corrosive sublimate, 24 ounces; water 100 gallons. Sprayed
on an orange tree infested with the red scale at 3 p. m., October 10, sun
shining, light breeze. November 13, leaves and fruit uninjured; found
great many living red scales on this tree.
(223) Corrosive sublimate, 44 ounces; water, 100 gallons. Sprayed
on an orange tree at 2:30 p. m., October 10, sun shining, light breeze.
November 13, leaves and fruit aeqareon found great many living red
scales on this tree.
(236) Corrosive sublimate, 1; pounds; water, 100 gallons. Sprayed
on a dormant pear tree infested with the San José scale at 10 a. m.,
December 31, sun shining, light breeze. February 3, found a great
many living San José scales on this tree.
The price in this city of the corrosive sublimate in 10-pound lots is
at the rate of $1.40 per pound; at this rate the strongest solution I
used (experiment 236) would cost about $1.63 per 100 gallons. I did
not test a stronger solution than this, since its cost alone would prevent
its being extensively used.
GLUE.—For the purpose of testing this substance as an insecticide
for the destruction of the red scale on citrus trees I made a few experi-
ments with it, but with very unsatisfactory results. The grade I used
is of a light brown color, not the white, nor yet the poorest grade, but
such as is used by cabinet-makers. To dissolve the glue I simply boiled
it in water, and it dissolved in about 10 minutes. Following is a brief
account of these experiments:
(227) Glue, 44 pounds; water 100 gallons. Sprayed on an orange
tree infested with the red scale at 4:30 p. m., October 11, sun shining,
light breeze. November 13, leaves and fruit uninjured; found great
many living red scales on this tree.
(226) Glue, 8.1 pounds; water 100 gallons. Sprayed on an orange
tree at 4p. m., October 11, sun shining, light breeze. November 13,
leaves and fruit uninjured; found great many living red scales on this
tree.
(225) Glue 124 pounds; water 100 gallons. Sprayed on an orange
tree at 3:30 p. m., October 11, sun shining, light breeze. November 13,
leaves and fruit uninjured; found great many living red scales on this
tree.
In this city (Los Angeles) the price of glue of the above grade in 10-
pound lots is at the rate of 50 cents perpound; at this rate the strongest
solution I used (experiment 225) will cost $6.25 per 100 gallons. This,
of course, is much too expensive for ordinary use as an insecticide, and
for this reason I did not test a stronger solution.
36
ALOES.—Dr. M. F. Bishop, of Alameda, the owner of a large orchard
of deciduous fruit trees in the vicinity of San José, in the northern
part of the State, gave me a package of aloes, with the request to test
it on the scale insects infesting citrus trees. Accordingly I made a
few tests with it, simply dissolving the aloes in cold water, straining
thé solution through a piece of Swiss muslin, and then spraying it
upon the tree. The aloes is not readily soluble in cold water, and 4
days were required for it to dissolve, being occasionally stirred during
this time. The experiments are as follows:
(243) Aloes, 124 pounds; water, 100 gallons. Sprayed en an orange
tree infested with the yellow scale (Aspidiotus citrinus) at 10:30 a. mn.,
March 22, sun shining, light breeze. April 23, leaves and fruit unin-
jured; found many living yellow scales on this tree.
(242) Aloes, 25 pounds; water, 100 gallons. Sprayed on an orange
tree at 10 a. m., March 22, sun shining, light breeze. April 23, leaves
and fruit uninjured; found several living yellow scales both on the
leaves and {fruit of this tree.
The price of the aloes in large quantities is at the rate of 16 cents
per pound; at this rate the strongest solution I used (experiment 242)
would cost $4 per 100 gallons. At this strength (25 pounds of aloes to
100 gallons water) it proved fatal to a large percentage of the scale
insects, and doubtless if it had been used one-half stronger it would
have been entirely effectual; but the high price of a solution of the
latter strength would prevent its being used on a large scale.
REPORT OF EXPERIMENTS WITH RESIN COMPOUNDS ON
PHYLLOXERA, AND GENERAL NOTES ON CALIFORNIA
INSECTS.
By ALBERT KOEBELE.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
ALAMEDA, CAL., October 20, 1890.
Sir: T herewith submit report upon experiments, chiefly with resin compounds, on
Phy 'loxera vastatrir, and observations made during the year.
Very respectfully,
ALBERT KOEBELF,
Field Agent.
Prof. C. V. RILEy,
U. S. Entomologist.
By your direction a series of experiments was carried on, chiefly with
resin compounds, upon the Phylloxera in Sonoma Valley during Septem-
ber and the beginning of October.
In preparing the compounds the following were used: Bicarbonate
of soda, sal soda, and Greenbank’s caustic soda, 98 per cent. Three
pounds are required of the former to dissolve 4 pounds of resin prop-
erly, or, in other words, to make a resin soap; 1 pound of the latter is
sufficient to dissolve 10 pounds of resin or even 11, but I did not sue-
ceed in dissolving 12 pounds, as parts of the resin would always re-
main. In repeated and careful trials this could not be overcome.
The results showed somewhat in favor of the bicarbonate of soda as
far as to destruction of the insects, but the price has to be considered.
Next to this seems to be the emulsion prepared with caustic soda, but
it is a difficult matter to decide which will work best without carrying
on an extensive series of trials. Itis safe to say, however, that the
results will not vary greatly.
One pound of resin was used to each 10 pints of compound, and
this again was diluted with water at a strength of 1 pound of resin in
24 gallons of water, up to 1 pound in 37$ gallons of water—one part of
compound in thirty parts of water. This compound will, as has been
previously stated, do effective work on unprotected Aphids, 7. e., such
as are not covered with cottony or mealy exudations, at one part in
37
38
fifteen parts of water, or 1.pound of resin in about 16 gallons of water.
(The former mixtures were somewhat stronger; 1 pound of resin in
9 pints of liquid.) The action upon the Phylloxera is much more
marked and with a mixture of one part of compound in thirty parts of
water the insects, if immersed for a few seconds only and left exposed,
will die, notwithstanding this solution will not adhere to parts of the
roots, not having at this strength the required penetrating power which
a sufficiently strong solution, say about 1 pound resin in 15 gallons of
water, has, and more so than any other insecticide I know of. The
experiments were made on 25-year-old Tokay vines (the only ones re-—
maining that have withstood the ravages of the Phylloxera), in loamy
soil, which was completely dry and hard at this time of the year, no
moisture being noticeable until a depth of from 10 to 12 inches below
the surface was reached. '
In all cases the ground was removed te a depth of about 6 inches,
forming a hole 4 feet in diameter. Ten gallons of the solution, it was
observed, penetrated here to 12 inches in depth around the roots where
the hole was deepest, or about 18 inches from original surface of ground,
and most of the insects were destroyed to about 16 inches in depth, if
the 10 gallons contained 4 pints of compound. In the later experiments
these holes were made only about 2 feet in diameter, and nearly if not
the same results were obtained with only half the amount or 5 gallons
of the mixture. This is more practical, as the chief roots only are
reached and the solution can be used so much stronger. The less
solution required the better, providing it will do the work, for at 10 gal-
lons to each plant this would mean 7,000 gallons or over per acre. If
the solution is applied at another time of the year, say early spring,
when rain is still expected, the results undoubtedly will be still more
favorable. I have had excellent results with solutions prepared with
caustic soda by using 4 pints of this to 16 pints of water only and ap-
plying 5 gallons of water soon after and 5 gallons the following day.
This destroyed the Phylloxera to nearly the depth the fluid reached.
Thus it wili be seen if a small amount of the mixture, sufficiently strong,
be applied in early spring the following rains will do the rest. As it
was, with the dry soil, the 4 pints of compound in 10 gallons of diluent
did better work than the same amount of compound in only 5 gallons,
‘for the simple reason that it penetrated farther and thus reached more
of the insects in sufficient strength to kill. It must also be remembered
that a completely dry soil will take up a large amount of the 1.quid,
whereas in a moist soil this is not the case.
The compounds were prepared as formerly, sal soda 3 pounds, resin 4
pounds, dissolved together with 1 quart of water, and water added
slowly while boiling to make 40 pints. The caustic soda, which comes
in 10-pound tin cans, is dissolved in 4 gallons of water, after which 4
gallons more should be added. This lye will dissolve 100 pounds of
resin and make 125 gallons of compound, sufficient for 250 plants, and
39
costing at wholesale in San Francisco (T. W. Jackson & Co., No. 104
Market street) $2.50. This is sufficiently strong, and to use more is
unnecessary, as it was found that even 3 pints of the emulsion to the
plant would do the work.
1 will give herea receipt for preparing the cheapest compound. This
is with common caustic soda, such as is sold at wholesale at about 5
cents per pound:
Caustic soda, 77 per cent......-.---. Bence eoacesccae costes pounds.. 5
ISGSHIG, DSS ace iee SOS OOO e CRE epee PSs SATS SSs SES Ae aaa There do... 40
Wake nibOnmn ace Seacrs natant sae stotsirepe tee tee ait ite me gallons.. 50
First the soda should be dissolved over fire with 4 gallons of water,
then the resin added and dissolved properly, after which the required
water can be given slowly while boiling to make the 50 gallons of com-
pound. This will make 500 gallons of the diluent, sufficient for 100
plants, and costing about $4 cents.
While a much weaker solution would kill the Phylloxera, this is
recommended, as it also destroys their eggs effectively. Below are
given the results of some of the experiments to show the effects of
various strengths. Most of these have been duplicated or tried upon
several plants. A small mite (Tyroglyphus sp.), always very abundant
among the Phylloxera, and, as a rule, feeding upon the sap of the
roots, yet from numerous empty skins appearing to feed also upon the
lice, was in no case injured by these resin washes.
CoMPOUND No. 1.—Bicarbonate of soda, 3 pounds ; resin, 4 pounds, and
water to make 40 pints, costing 15 cents.
Compound, 1 gallon; water, 6 gallons; in holes 4 feet in diameter.
Destroyed insects to about 12 inches in depth from original surface, as
well as the eggs of the same, which became dark in color.
Compound, one-half gallon; water, 4 gallons. Destroyed all insects
where they were reached (occasionally a living one running about).
Compound, 1 part; water, 10 parts; about 10 gallons of the fluid
used. This will destroy all lice and their eggs completely to 12 inches
from original surface, but not deeper.
Compound, 1 part; water, 12 parts; 9? gallons used. Twenty-four
hours after application some of the solution remained still on top, and
on examining 6 days later it was found that it had penetrated the ground
to 12 inches from original surface. Much of the solution had evap.
orated and left a brown scum (dry soap) on top. It will also destroy
most, if not all, of the eggs.
Compound, 1 part; water, 14 parts. Three and three-fourths gallons
of the diluent in holes 2 feet in diameter killed the insects to 8 inches
in depth, or 14 inches from original surface.
Compound, 1 part; water, 16 parts; 83 gallons diluent. Occasion-
ally a living insect found and large numbers of mites on the nearly
dead vines.
40
Compound, 1 part; water, 18 parts ; 93 gallons diluent; examined 5
days after. Nearly alltheinsects dead to 14 inches in depth, but most of
the eggs looked bright yellow and no doubt will hatch. Behind the
thick bark near the top, where apparently the solution did not penetrate,
a number of young lice were found alive.
Compound, 1 part; water, 20 parts; 104 gallons diluent; in holes
4 feet in diameter. An examination 5 days later showed the fluid
had penetrated the ground on plants 154 or 20 inches from original
surface. All the insects were destroyed 13 inches in depth and but
very few living 3inchesdeeper. This solution seems to work best of all
this series, but it is doubtful if the eggs will be affected by it.
ComMPounD No. 2.—Caustic soda, 98 per cent., 1 pound ; resin, 10 pounds ;
water to make 124 gallons ; compound costing 25 cents.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 4 pints; in hole 4 feet in diameter; 5
gallons of water added 1 hour later and the same quantity next day.
Very few dead insects were found upon this plant, and none living.
Not sufficient to show proper result.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 2 gallons; 5 gallons of water added 1 hour
after and 5 gallons the following day. Examined plants 7 days later.
result very satisfactory, hardly any living phylloxera as far as the fluid
reached. After examination 5 gallons more water were added and
again examined a week later, when no living insects could be found to
a depth of 18 inches.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 10 gallons. Destroyed insects to about 8
inches in depth and but few below this.
Holes only 2 feet in diameter; 5 gallons of water in same first, and
solution 1 hour later in the four succeeding experiments.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 45 gallons; examined 15 days later. De-
stroyed insects and eggs as well, which had become very dark. Occa- *
sionally a live specimen running about.
Compound, 3 pints; water, 44 gallons. Examined 13 days later and
found all insects dead that had been reached.
Compound, 24 pints; water, 373 pints. Hxamined13 days later. A .
piece of root about 10 inches deep one-halfinch in diameter by 6 inches
long and completely covered with phylloxera showed but one single
living young, probably hatched from egg after application.
Compound, 2 pints; water, 435 gallons; also examined at the end of
13 days. All insects to 8 inches below ground or 14 inches below orig-
inal surface were destroyed, as well as a large part of the eggs. Oc-
casionally a living young was found wandering about.
Four other experiments were made with this compound, using 1, 2, 3,
and 4 pints in 20 of the solution, the ground having 4 hours previously
been saturated with 5 gallons of water in each case. Examined 12 days
after; results were not good with 1 pint but were progressively better
with the other three. Applied 4 gallons more water on plants where 3
Al
and 4 pints had been used, and found 2 days later that this additional
water still increased the effect.
In addition to this a number of plants were treated with this compound
to note the results next spring. The holes were made 2 feet in diameter,
and after the solution had disappeared the wet ground from the outside
was placed around the plant and the hole closed again. The experi-
ments were: Five pints of compound in 5 gallons of the solution, four
plants; 4 pints of compound in 5 gallons of the solution, eight plants ;
3 pints of compound in 5 gallons of the solution, ten plants; and 2 pints
of compound in 5 gallons of the solution, ten plants.
CompounD No. 3.—Caustie soda, 98 per cent, 1 pound ; resin, 8 pounds ;
and water to make 10 gallons of compound, costing 22 cents.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 74 gallons. Examined 6 days later; result
good.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 10 gallons. Examined 6 days later and
found result favorable.
Compound, 3 pints; water, 75 pints. Found only part of insects de-
stroyed 6 days later.
Compound, 3 pints; water, 90 pints. There were not enough insects
upon this plant to deduce fair results, which would no doubt be very
poor.
Compound No. 4.—Sal soda, 3 pounds; resin, 4 pounds ; and water to
make 5 gallons of compound ; costing 11 cents.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 74 gallons. Examined 5 days later and
found all insects killed except a few living on a plant under thick bark,
where solution apparently did not penetrate.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 10 gallons. Examined 5 days later and
found insects dead to 12 inches in depth from original surface, with only
occasionally a live one walking about.
Compound, 3 pints; water, 75 pints. On examining, 5 days later,
only the insects near surface were found dead.
Compound, 4 pints; water, 15 gallons. This destroyed only partly
the lice near the top.
The following four experiments were made with this compound, the
ground having been previously soaked with 4 gallons of water :
Compound, 3 pints; water, 21 pints. Examined 12 days later. Did
not show good results, as part of the insects were found alive. Twice
the amount of water with the same quantity of compound will do much
better work.
Compound, 3 pints; water, 33 pints. Examined 12 days later and
found results fairly good. Only a few living ones were running about.
Compound, 2 pints; water, 30 pints. On examination numerous live
insects were found, but more than half were killed.
42
Compound, 2 pints; water 38 pints. Result about the same as in
preceding experiment.
These four experiments were repeated and the water added (3 gal-
lons) 2 hours after instead of before application of emulsion. The re-
sults in this case were much more satisfactory, destroying most of the
eggs in the two first experiments and nearly all of the phylloxera in the
two last to a depth of about 10 inches.
GENERAL NOTES.
It was probably owing to the unusually heavy rainfall during last
winter that insects were comparatively scarce in the early part of the
season. At least no complaint was noticed or heard during this time.
While a large number would undoubtedly be destroyed by weeks of
excessive rains and floods, yet there are such as are not or only slightly
affected by this element. I may cite here, for instance, such species the
eggs of which are found upon trees and shrubs during the winter months
as well as the eggs of locusts usually deposited on dry hillsides. Ona
visit to Sonoma county during May, the larve of Clistocampa were ex-
tremely abundant. Two species were found, namely, C. constricta and
C. thoracica. The first species predominated in numbers, and while
usually feeding upon deciduous oaks was also found upon Live Oak and
Quercus agrifolia as wellas various shrubs. In confinement these larvie
were furnished with food consisting of leaves of Plum and Cherry, but
for three days they would not feed upon these and readily attacked the
leaves of Live Oak which were given them, and upon these they were
raised. CO. thoracica, which is the species defoliating various fruit trees,
was found chiefly upon willows, but also upon oaks, and here again
usually upon White Oak, upon which its eggs were found in October.
This species was bred upon leaves of Prune and Cherry.
At the end of May of the present year, I received from Mr. F. L.
Washburn, entomologist of the experiment station at Corvallis, Ore-
gon, a few Clisiocampa larve new to me. He said they were found
feeding upon a species of Crataegus and were sent with leaves of apple,
upon which I reared them. On my visit to Washington these larvz
were met with at Tacoma, on June 8, within webs upon Alder (Alnus
rubra), and again at Easton, during July, upon Willow. Near Tacoma
IT also found what I took to be the larvee of C. thoracica very abundant
upon Crategus, Alder, Hazel, and various other shrubs. Two of the
larvie were taken to Easton, and one pupated and to my surprise pro-
duced not the expected C. thoracica, but C. erosa Stretch.
About 10 miles along the railroad in southern Oregon, about the be-
ginning of June, larve and webs of one of these moths were seen in
large quantities on dry hillsides upon Purshia tridentata DC., Ceanothus
sp.,and also Wild Cherry. While crossing the Columbia River on
steamer, June 8, at which time the water was very high, large numbers
of these larve were observed floating upon the swift current and as
43
many as a dozen could be seen at one time, but of all the hundreds seen
very few were dead. They were usually in a half circle and completely
dry above and were carried off to be distributed safely along the shores.
In both cases I had no opportunity to obtain specimens for identifica-
tion.
As to the parasites, so far two species of a small Chalcid were bred
from 37 egg masses of C. constricta found within three hours while col-
lecting Cynipid galls in Sonoma County during October. This species
is preyed upon by Tachina flies, which are or have been, the present
season, the chief agent in destroying them. From about two hundred
grown larve collected but very few moths were obtained, the Tachina
maggots issuing from the dying and spun-up larve in large numbers.
No ground for their reception had been furnished in breeding cases and
they pupated among the leaves and excrement. Atleast 80 per cent
of these larvze were parasitized and but one of the flies has issued up
to date. I also obtained one large cocoon of an Ichneumonid from
larve in confinement and others were still found in nature during Sep-
tember.
C. thoracica was also infested by Tachina larve, but only about
30 per cent. were destroyed by these maggots. Two species of the flies
have come out so far. C. californica was noticed full of eggs of these
flies and some had previously been bred. An Ichneumonid was ob-
tained from young larve the present year. Professor Rivers, of
Berkeley, informed me the end of April that he had previously ob-
served one of these larvie at Bay View upon Willow, and accordingly
a trip was made to that locality and this species was found as well as
its tents, not alone upon Willow, but also on the scrubby Live Oaks
growing there, Hazel, Wild Currant, Rhamnus californica, Blackberry,
and other plants, showing that this species is not confined to Live Oak
alone.
No Tachina has yet been obtained from the species in Santa Cruz
Mountains, nor have I observed any eggs, but larvee of this species
placed upon Cherry and Prune at Alameda were badly attacked. The
same species of Ichneumonid bred from larvee of C. californica has also
been obtained from this. This species was observed upon Plum, Prune,
Willow, Ceanothus and Cercocarpus.
Two species of Ichneumonids were bred from the new species of the
north, one from larve found at Tacoma, and the second from those
found at Easton.
I may mention one Noctuid larva as very destructive to buds, young
fruit, and foliage of fruit trees, chiefly Apple, Pear, Plum, and Prune.
This is Taniocampa, and I have full proof that the destruction of a
large share of the buds and young fruit, so universally, yet incorrectly,
attributed to birds on this coast, is due to this larvee. In the very
early spring, often in February, these moths make their appearance
from hibernated chrysalids and copulate, and the female deposits her
44
eggs, from two to three hundred or more, in crevices of bark. I found
them in large numbers together, thrust deep into a place where one of
he branches had broken off. The young larvee soon made their ap-
pearance and in want of leaves began to feed upon buds and blossoms,
and later on, as I have repeatedly observed on apple trees, upon the
young fruit also. Within about 24 days these larve become full grown
and enter the ground for pupation to remain in this state for nearly 11
months. If only one or two early broods occur upon a single or-
dinary tree, they will, in some cases, destroy most if not all the fruit
buds before any leaves appear. The light green, white, variegated, and
striped larvee at rest on the under side of leaves during the daytime
are not, especially by an untrained eye, very readily discovered, and
hence are overlooked and the more innocent bird is made responsible
for the damage done.
During April, 1888, when I had a peead of these larvee in confine.
ment at Alameda, a common titmouse, Lophophanes inornatus Gamb.,
was noticed flying constantly to an old apple tree and carrying off
dozens of these very larve to a hollow tree not far. distant, within
which it had a nest with six young. These birds are quite plentiful
at this time of the year and are the only enemy of this larva as yet
observed. None of the numerous larve collected the present year
appear to be parasitized.
By jarring the trees in the early morning these larvee, especially the
larger, will fallto the ground, and can readily be collected and destroyed.
If the tree be only slightly shaken, all the mature larvie will drop.
Caloptenus devastator, so well remembered since its outbreak in 1885,
has again been on the increase the present season and is quite abun-
dant in Sonoma County as well as around Alameda, where Camnula pel-
lucida was equally as numerous. Aside from complaints in Sonoma
County others were heard of in Yolo County. I quote from the Wood-
land Democrat of September 11, 1590:
For the past few weeks our farmers have been watching their alfalfa crops very
closely. The Army Worm and the Grasshopper are both here, although not in such
quantities as in the early days. In some eases the crops in young vineyards have
been entirely destroyed by them. C. Eakle lost all his grapes by the grasshoppers
and others have shared a like fate. In other cases the alfalfa crops have fared badly
from the effects of the worm and the hopper. Mrs. P. Hannum had saved some alfalfa
for seed, but the worm attacked it, and she was obliged to cut it for hay in order to
save any of it. Mr. Hopkins, we understand, was caught in the same predicament,
while the pastures of those who have lately irrigated and where the clover is just
beginning to grow nice and green are full of the hoppers, and the worms have also
attacked many others.
As yet no specimens from the above locality can be obtained, but it
is more than likely that the injury was caused by several species and
the Devastating Locust among them. One favorable season, however,
should no parasites appear, would again show a marked increase in
destructive numbers, and local outbreaks may be expected the coming
summer,
ENTOMOLOGICAL NOTES FOR THE SEASON OF 1890.
By Mary E. Murtrecpr.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL,
Kirk woop, St. Louts County, Mo.,
- October 31, 1890.
Sir: Inelosed please find summary of my notes on injurious insects for the present
year, as observed throughout the season in St. Louis County, and as compiled from cor-
respondence with and occasional visits to other sections of the State. As in preced-
ing years, many thanks are due you fur yarious determinations and helpful sugges-
tious,
Respectfully, yours,
Mary E. Mvunrrevpr.
Prot Cr Vin KILEY,
U. S. Entomologist.
GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.
The season of 1890 throughout the Mississippi Valley has been in
many respects unusual. The winter months were characterized by a
temperature much above the normal, by occasional very heavy rains,
and, after the middle of January, by a prevalence of clouds and exces-
sive moisture. Many shrubs, for example Forsythia, Cydonia, and
Lilac bloomed in the open air about the holidays, while the buds of all
fruit trees were much swollen, and peaches and apricots opened their
blossoms in sheltered situations in February. During early March the
mercury for the first time in the year dropped to the neighborhood of
zero, and on the last day of the month occurred a phenomenal fail of
snow. April also was cold and damp, and similar weather prevailed
until the middle of May, the soil, except where drainage was excep-
tionally good, being in poor condition for planting. With the first of
June excessive heat set in, and for seven consecutive weeks the mercury
was seldom below 90° I’. at midday, and usually approached or ex-
ceeded 100°. This extreme heat was accompanied by an equally severe
drought for the same length of time, scarcely mitigated by two or three
very slight and very local showers.
45
7
46
That the effects of such a season should be plainly marked on insect
life is not surprising. The following memoranda show considerable
deviation from the records of preceding years.
Chinch Bugs were not reported as injurious in any part of the State,
and scarcely a specimen could be found during midsummer and early
autumn.
Canker Worms.—Very few, and found mostly in orchards or on trees
standing somewhat above the general level. The male moths were fly-
ing every month duzing winter, and an occasional female was also seen
in January and February. Probably the severe cold of March destroyed
a large proportion of the very young larvae, more perhaps by retarding
the development of the apple leaves than by the direct effects of the
cold.
Of the few worms that were found later in the season taking their
noonday siesta on the trunks and larger branches of the trees, quite a
number were seen which had evidently been attacked by some Carabid
or other predaceous species, the skin having been punctured and the
fluids oozing out with every motion. All injured worms perished, but
what the assailant was I was not able to discover.
Cutworms (Agrotis and Hadena).—Vegetable gardens in the spring
enjoyed an immunity from these pests that was most welcome to the
gardener. This was probably due to the fact that some of the most.
destructive species hibernate in the larva state, and the degree of cold
not being sufficient to reduce them to complete dormancy they perished
of starvation and dampness or fell victims to the birds, which remained
with us in greater numbers than is usually the case. My memoranda
show that very few Noctuid moths of any kind were taken at light
previous to the middle of August. To this scarcity of Noctuid pests
there were, however, two notable exceptions—that of Gortyna nitela and
Heliothis armigera, which have seldom committed so great injuries to
certain crops as during the present year. About the middle of June
many samples of young corn and potato stalks were sent me that were
being bored by the first-named larva, and it was then reported from
some localities—among others from Kidder, Missouri—as having de-
stroyed fully one-half the crop of potatoes. Its injuries to young corn -
were also extensive, but I have no data for making an estimate. It was
also found in considerable numbers, when very small, in small grain.
In this it could scarcely reach maturity, and probably migrated to the
stalks of such more succulent plants as were conveniently near. In the
case of the attack on potatoes a treatment with Paris green and flour
was recommended, on the probability that in passing from one stalk to
another the-worm would obtain a sufficient quantity of the poison to
destroy it. Of the success of this experiment, if tried, I have not been
informed. It did not occur in any noticeable numbers in the vicinity
of Kirkwood.
Heliothis armigera was very destructive on both early and late corn,
47
especially on the latter. In the southern part of the State it injured
the tomato crop to a considerable extent. Spraying with Paris green
and with other arsenical compounds was tried with considerable success
previous to the ripening of the fruit, but there is considerable danger
in its use and it is best to thoroughly drench the plants that have been
treated with clear water a day or two after the use of the insecticide.
Experiment on a limited scale shows that it can be kept from corn by
the same remedies, but how far this would be practicable in the field
_has not yet been demonstrated.
The Striped Flea-beetles (Phyllotreta vittata and P. sinuata) did not ap-
pear at all on early Crucifers, nor have they been observed in any con-
iderable numbers in this vicinity at any time during the growing sea- |
son. Whether this notable riddance was due to atmospheric conditions
or to the scarcity of the fostering weeds, Lepidium and Arabis, I am not
able to decide.
The Corn Flea-beetle (Chetocnema pulicaria) was reported to me from
various localities as unusually numerous and injurious. Mr. Falcon, of
St. Clair County, feared that he should lose his first planting from its
attacks, but from later accounts the plants recovered more rapidly
than he had expected.
The Plum Curculio was much reduced in numbers during winter, and
as there was in this section, and indeed throughout the State, an almost
entire failure of stone fruit crops, with the exception of the sour cher-
ries, which the insect rarely attacks, there was very little of the work
of the latter observed. A small proportion of the few early peaches
that set were punctured, but that the midsummer drought prevented
the development of the larvie was indicated by the fact that such late
peaches as there were did not show a single one of the food punctures
which commonly so disfigure them. On one tree which the previous
year had suftered so much in this way that the fruit was absolutely
worthless, was a single peach that reached perfection without one
stroke from the beak of a curculio; and similar observations were
made on other trees on which a very little fruit ripened. Nor was I
able to find Conotrachelus breeding in apples, although during June
and July I examined nearly six hundred specimens of fruit, a few of
which showed punctures that might have been made for food. Should
other conditions be favorable, I think, so far as this insect is concerned,
we may predict for 1891 fine crops of stone fruits.
Plant lice, always quite abundant in the spring, amounted this year
almost to a scourge. Trees, shrubs, and herbs alike suffered, and for
many plants there was no after-recovery. The species causing the most
appreciable loss was probably the Grain Aphis (Siphonophora avene). It
occurred throughcut the State on all small grain, even on rye, causing,
undoubtedly, some shrinkage of that crop as well as of wheat, but its
most disastrous attacks were on oats. About the middle of May farm-
ers began to be alarmed for the safety of this crop, and subsequent
48
developments proved their fears to be well grounded. Letters of
inquiry and packages of specimens came to me from all directions, and
during a trip about the first of June, to Butler County, on the southern
boundary of the State, I was able to observe for myself the dwarfed
and sickly appearance of small grain everywhere along the railroad,
attributable in all cases to the attacks of this insect. Shortly after-
ward the outfields in St. Louis County and in many other localities
were plowed up and replanted to corn, which, owing to the drought and
to its own insect enemies, was, in its turn, a poor crop. The unusual
prevalenceand unparalleled multiplication of Aphidide was undoubtedly
due to to the scarcity of their natural enemies, both parasitic and pre.
daceous. It was not until the middle of June that the larvie of Syrphi.
de, Coccinellide, and Chrysopa became numerous, and, reénforced by
parasites of the genera Aphidius and Trioxys, finally brought relief from
the pests; too late, however, to prevent irreparable injury to many
herbaceous crops, young fruit trees, and various sorts of shrubbery.
A somewhat remarkable development of the season was the appear-
ance in unusual numbers of many insects not often accounted noxious,
and the reappearance of some species not observed in this locality for
many years. : :
Among the former may be mentioned the great abundance and variety
of “ stinging” larvie, principally Limacodes. For the first time in my
experience the beautiful larvee of Parasa chloris were so abundant on
some young apricot trees in the orchard of one of our neighbors as to
do great damage to the foliage. When full grown, three-fourths or
more of an inch in length, thick, oblong, sub-eylindrical, gaily striped
longitudinally in carmine red, purple, and bright yellow, the stinging
spines concealed in the two rows of deflected bright yellow plumes that
adorn the back, gliding with slow, graceful motion over the leaves, they
were almost too ornamental to doom to destruction. As they were
very voracious, however, the latter was a necessity of the case. Those
that were preserved were fed to maturity on the leaves of Chickasaw
plum, to which they were transferred without difficulty.
Huclea querceti H.8., of the same form and size as P. chloris, but much
less brilliantly colored, being of a dull, mottled green, with two or four
dark purple-red spots on each side of the dorsum, and having the plu-
mose spines pale green, appeared on Plum, Cherry, and Apple in the
orchard, as well as on Sycamore, Post Oak, and Wild Cherry in the
forest. It was not, however, in any destructive numbers on any fruit
tree. <
So far as coloration is concerned this larva varies greatly. The crim-
son sub-dorsal spots, usually quite large when there are but two, are
in some examples smaller and less conspicuous and are followed pos-
teriorly by a second pair. The longitudinal ridges on which these are
situated, and from which also proceed the larger urticating spines,
vary in hue from pale pea green to yellow and bright orange. A second
49
variety was so distinet as to be described, previous to breeding, as
another species. This is entirely of a pearly, translucent white color,
with fine, wavy, purple lines, one on each side cof medio-dorsal space
and two others lower down on each side inclosing the second row of
spines, which, like the general surface, are translucent white. There is
a large purple spot a little back of the middle on each side of the dor-
sum. I have found this variety only on pear, and it is rather rare.
The cocoon is spun among the leaves and does not differ in color, form,
or texture from those of other Limacodes. The moth bred from this
pale larva does not differ from those of typical querceti, being of a rich
fustic brown, with bright green and velvety black ornamentation. In
the size of the green and black spots and in general intensity of color
a series of moths of this species also exhibit considerable variation.
The almost equally beautiful and even more strikingly marked Saddle-
back Caterpillar (Hmpretia stimulea) occurred in very unusual numbers
on Plum, Pear, Chestnut, Maple, and Wisteria vine, doing considerable
damage—especially during the semi-gregarious period, which continues
to the third molt—to the foliage of the fruit trees attacked.
Phobetron pithecitum and Limacodes scapha were other species of this
group observed.
Lagoa crispata was quite numerous on White Oak and Chestnut, and
colonies of Saturnia io appeared on Corn and Sassafras and defoliated
several rose bushes in our garden before we discovered the authors of
the mischief. Altogether there was quite an array of * urticators,”
and gloves were very necessary to preserve the hands of the collector
in taking them and also in caring for them in the rearing cage. They
seem to dispense stinging points all over the foliage over which they
crawl and all about the cage in which they are confined. I have often
had my hands smart for hours after changing the leaves and cleaning
the cage in which these larvee had been reared, long after they were
inclosed in their cocoons.
There was throughout this and contiguous States a notable outbreak
of Datana both D. angusti and D. ministra, but especially the former.
This species appeared on the Walnut in June, and the second brood
again in August, and from the excessive and repeated defoliations it is
probable that many fine trees have been destroyed.
During a journey taken about the 1st of September, numbers of
trees were noticed bearing what would have been a heavy crop of nuts,
but absolutely leafless, while the trunks were almost covered with larval
exuvie. The nuts were, of course, small and imperfect, the shrunken
husks clinging to the seed. Several collections of the walnut-feeding
larvee were sent me, but not having a supply of walnut leaves conven-
ient, I was not able to rear any of them, as they refused to accept asa
substitute the leaves of hickory or of Rhus glabra or copalina, although
some years ago I bred them from the latter.
During September the black-necked larve of what I suppose will
25910—Bull, 23——4
50
prove to be D. ministra, Drury, appeared on post oaks in Kirkwood
and vicinity, defoliating portions of the trees infested. From their gre-
garious habit and their susceptibility to poison they were easily routed.
Even a stream of water turned upon them from the spraying pump
would dislodge and bring them to the ground, where they were easily
killed.
Orgyia leucostigma, a species formerly abundant in this locality, but
which I had not observed for ten or twelve years, was found on Sycamore
(Platanus), on which, strange to say, it would. not feed after the second
molt, and consequently all caterpillars left on the tree perished before
attaining half their growth. The question suggested by this observa-
tion was how the young larve came to be upon this tree which so evi-
dently did not suit them for food. I could not find either cocoon or egg
mass of the mother insect, nor were any of the larve discovered in
the adjacent orchard.
Ichthyura inclusa, another species not observed here for many years,
appeared on willows in great numbers in September, but coming so late
in the season the defoliations did no serious damage.
In coneluding these notes I wish to mention an insect that will prob-
ably prove most efficient in ridding the country of the pest of the Web
Worm (Hyphantria cunea). This is the larva of a smail and inconspicu-
ous Carabid of the genus Plochionus, bearing the appropriate specific
name timidus. I had observed during the month of June that the
greater number of the webs of the caterpillar were unusually small and
incomplete and seemed to have been deserted much sooner than usual.
Before I had time to investigate the matter, I received from Mr. J. C.
Duffey, horticulturist at the Shaw Botanical Garden, a colony of the
worms, interspersed among which were numerous small active Carabid
larvee, which Mr. Duffey informed me were preying upon the former.
The collection was placed in a cage and arranged for convenient obser-
vation, and I very shortly had ocular demonstration of the correctness
of Mr. Dutfey’s assertion. Many interesting observations were made
upon these small but ferocious larve before they changed to pupe, and
the appearance of the perfect insect was awaited with much interest.
The first beetle developed about the middle of July and proved to be
the species named,
Comparatively few webs of the second brood of Hyphantria were seen
in and around Kirkwood in August, and extensive examination revealed
the fact that fully three-fourths of these also contained larvee of Plo-
chionus, which were busily engaged in reducing the numbers of the
rightful inhabitants. Nor is the beetle confined in its diet to the web
worm. I found the larve repeatedly during the present autumn in the
masses of leaves webbed together by the somewhat gregarious larva
of a Tortrix (Cacecia fervidana) and between the two leaves webbed by
various Tineids, especially Cryptolechia nubeculosa and C, schlegerella.
(I doubt not I may have occasion to deprecate its work in the future
51
in these groups.) That this Plochionus had not appeared this season
much to the east of St. Louis was evinced by the much webbed and de-
foliated orchard and forest trees noticed in Illinois and Indiana in Au-
gust and September.
As Mr. Duffey proposes soon to publish a history of the insect, with
detailed descriptions of its various stages, I defer offering my own notes
upon its habits and forms until after the appearance of his paper.
A FEW MORE INJURIOUS MICROS ON APPLE.
A very considerable number of Microlepidoptera, including Pyralide,
Phycitide, Tortricide, and Tineidw, have already been characterized
and catalogued among the more or less injurious insects of the orchard
and garden; but the observations of almost every year add to this list,
and I propose here to briefly describe a few which have not as yet been
placed on the roll, but which in this locality are annually so numerous
as to commit appreciable injury.
PENTHINA CHIONOSEMA, Zell.—The larve of this beautiful species
were, last year, uncommonly abundant during the month of May on the
leaves of apple, particularly in young orchards. They fold the leaves
at the midrib, or sometimes one edge over to the midrib, fastening the
edges all around firmly and feeding upon the inclosed upper surface.
Larva.—The larva is not especially characteristic, being of a pale opaque green
color, without maculation, except the rather inconspicuous glassy piliferous plates.
Head pale yellow, tinged with green, legs similarly colored; length from 16 to 17™™;
diameter, 3™™. Form subcylindrical, tapering but slightly either way from middle,
When full grown it incloses itself under a rolled edge of the leaf,
lining and strengthening the tube thus formed with a white silken web.
The moth appears early in June, and I have no record of a later brood,
although there may be one.
The original description, by Professor Zeller, is not accessible to me
at present, but it will suffice to note the following characters :
Palpi and tuft of the head rich ferruginous, antenne scarcely half the length of
the wing, fine, gray brown. Thoracic tuft dark brown. Wing expanse from 15 to
16 ™™—rather more than a half-inch. Ground color of primaries somewhat mottled
dark brown, with a slight suffusion of olive, diversified by three broad, indistinct,
irregular, obliquely transverse bands of purplish gray, having a somewhat metallic
reflection; these transverse bands broaden toward the inner margin, where they
almost coalesce. On the costal edge is a large, milk-white, rounded triangular or
nearly semicircular patch, extending along the costa from the middle third, in-
clusive, almost to the apex, constituting a most distinguishing and ornamental
character. Cilia purplish gray. Secondaries, silky, pale brown with lighter fringes.
Abdomen and legs pale brown. Under side of wings pale, rosy brown, the large
costal spots on this side inclining to orange.
PROTEOPTERYX SPOLIANA Clem.—The larva folds and webs into
clusters the young leaves of apple during the month of May, appear-
ing, preferably, on the shoots of small trees.
52
Larva.—When full grown it measures 10™™ in length by 24™™ in diameter, the
form being rather thick cylindrical; color translucent white, tinged with yellowish
green; surface velvety; piliferous plates small, glassy, giving rise to short, fine,
light hairs. Head and cervical collar same color as general surface or a little deeper
in shade, inclining to amber. The head is broad and flat, with red-brown trophi,
and a very large dark brown spot on each side. Legs and prolegs same color as gen-
eral surface.
When full grown it forms a tough, oval cocoon, thickly covered with
particles of soil, on the surface of the ground, occasionally just beneath
it. It is but single-brooded, and is very difficult to rear in confinement,
as it must be kept through the heat of summer and the cold of winter,
and if a little too damp it molds, while if moisture is withheld it dries
up. From almost innumerable larve collected during several years I
have only been successful in rearing two or three specimens, enough,
however, to determine the species, and, as the moths are always abun-
dant early in the spring on the trunks of orchard and forest trees, there
need be no scarcity of specimens for the cabinet:
Adult.—The moth expands 15™™, wings rather narrow. In color it closely simulates
the bark of the trees on which it naturally rests. The vestiture of the head is brown
interspersed with gray; palpi and antenn cinereous; thorax and abdomen pale
brown. Primaries brown, with a series of oblique double silvery streaks all along
the costal edge, extending about one-fourth across the wing; a large silvery spot of
irregular outline, inclosing a patch of dark brown, is situated near the outer edge of
the wing, and a less distinct patch of silvery scales occurs on the inner edge near the
middle, while a shading of the same color modifies the brown tint on other portions
of the wing. Cilia pale brown and cinereous intermixed. Secondaries cinereous,
shading on costal edge to pale brown; cilia dingy white. There is some variation
in distinctness of the markings and depth of coloring.
STEGANOPTYCHA PYRICOLANA Riley MS.—This is somewhat similar
to the above in coloring, but smaller and proportionally broader winged.
This bores the shoots of the second growth of apple in August and Sep-
tember, occasionally on recently planted trees, inflicting serious damage.
The larva spins scarcely any web, but bores downward through the ter-
minal bud, eutering the stem for from half an inch to an inch, sometimes
blackening all the growing points of a young tree.
Larva.—When full grown it is 8™™ long by 14™™ in diameter, slender, subeylindri-
eal, tapering slightly in both directions from middle segments; surface smooth;
incisions deep; color, pale cream yellow, somewhat translucent ; the dorsal surface
beautifully mottled with rose red. Piliferous warts and hairs only discernible with
alens. Ventral surface pale, slightly concave, and much wrinkled. Head elongate,
cordate, pale brown, shading to dark brown on the middle of each lobe; trophi prom-
inent, dark brown, with two or three long light hairs on each side. Supra-anal
plate oblong, large, dark, smoky brown. Legs and prolegs rather unusually de-
veloped.
I failed to rear the first specimens collected, most of them wandering
around in the jar until they died. Subsequently, by supplying them
with bits of pith or bark in which to bore, I succeeded in getting three
or four imagos between the last of September and the first of October.
53
The moth expands 19™, The head, thorax, and abdomen are densely covered
with long hair-like scales, of a dull gray-brown color with bluish reflections. Basal
half of primaries of similar color, but with more intermingling of blue and brown
‘scales. About the middle the wing is crossed by a broad, irregularly outlined band
of rich brown, sparsely intermingled with silvery scales, and the terminal third is
quite evenly mottled in brown and leaden gray, the costal edge of this portion being
ornamented with alternate oblique light and dark streaks extending about one-
fourth across the wing; cilia bluish gray ; secondaries lustrous pale brown, shading
to cinereous on costal edge ; cilia dingy white.
Professor Fernald, to whom a specimen was shown, considers it iden-
tical with Clemens’s S. salicicolana, which I believe breeds in willow galls,
but Dr. Riley pronounces it distinct, and he has types of Clemens’s
species. ;
GELECHIA INTERMEDIELLA ? Chambers.—This pretty Tineid appears
in its larval form on the tender leaves of apple early in May and again
in September. It gnaws the parenchyma from the upper surface, giv-
ing the leaves a burned and eroded appearance.
Larva.—8™ in length when mature, slender, cylindrical, tapering slightly in both
directions from middle ; incisions deep, giving it a submoniliform appearance. Gen-
eral color bluish green, acquiring a purple hue at maturity, with faint longitudinal
stripes of cream white. Head pale brown with a tinge of green, ornamented with
cream-colored markings on each side and arow of graduated cream-colored dots down
the middle of the face. First segment narrow, without perceptible shield. Thoracic
legs long, whitish, proceeding from papillated projections on the ventral surface.
This larva covers the leaves with fine web, in which it moves with
great agility, and in which it rests suspended, without touching the
surface of the leaf, except when feeding. It is semigregarious and very
irregular in its development, some clusters of the leaves showing very
recently hatched young, while on other clusters they will be full grown.
It pupates on surface of the leaf under a little round cover of dense web,
similar to those under which some spiders protect their eggs. The
moths emerge in about 3 weeks after pupation and hibernate in the per.
fect state.
Adult.—A beautiful species, expanding 12 or 13™™, Head and thorax dark gray,
more or less suffused with crimson; palpi dark gray, annulated with rosy white or
pale pink. Ground color of primaries leaden gray and rosy white; scales about
evenly intermixed. Three very irregular and variable, often interrupted, bands of
rich olive brown cross the wing, intermingled with some light golden brown or
ochreous scales; near the base and center of the wing these form quite distinct
patches. The apical third of the wing is margined with alternate dark brown and
rosy patches; cilia gray. Secondaries cinereous, with paler cilia. This species is
closely allied to both roseosuffusella Clem., and rubensella Cham., resembling in colora-
tion the latter and in size the former. Mr. Chambers says of it: ‘‘ Intermediate be-
tween roseosuffusella Clem., and rubensella Cham., with one or the other of whieh it
has hitherto been confounded. The third joint of the palpi is longer and more
acute than in rubensella, more like that of roseosuffusella, but the fore wings are much
less roseate than in either of the two other species, frequently showing no tinge of
the roseate hue. * * * As in rubensella (and sometimes in roseosuffusella), the first
dark band does not cover the base of the wing. The second band is like that of
roseosuffusella, but the third extends across the wing, the dorsal portion being, how-
ever, paler than the costal, and the costo-apical part of the wing is ochreo-fuscous.
54
This description, or rather these distinctions, of Mr. Chambers apply
to some examples, while to others they do not. Many specimens are
very roseate and richly colored, while a few appear almost plain black
and dull white. The three species are best distinguished in the larva
state, in which there are very decided differences. G. roseosuffusella
feeds on Clover, G. rubensella on Oak, while the species under con-
sideration, so far as my observations show, is confined to Apple. The
larval characters are also very diverse in the three species.
EXPERIMENTS WITH INSECTICIDES.
During the great prevalence of Aphididae in the spring I made much
use of pyrethrum and of the X. O. dust. Of the value of the former as
a remedy for these pests, except in the case of one or two species, I
have no occasion to change the favorable opinions already repeatedly
published. The X. O. dust was thoroughly tested on the following
Aphids: Aphis mali and Schizoneura lanigera on Apple; Aphis prunifolit
on Plum; Siphonophora rose on Rose; Myzus persice on Peach; Aphis
brassice on Cabbage; Aphis sp.? on Cucumbers and Squash; Siphono-
phora sp.? on Lettuce; S. crategi on Thorns; S. rudbeckie on Solidago;
Aphis ambrosic ou Ambrosia trifida, and Aphis chrysanthemi? on Chrys-
anthemum. With its effects on all of these I was well satisfied, although
in some cases it took several dustings to thoroughly clear a plant.
When applied with a powder bellows it causes the insects to drop to the
ground at once, where they may be pressed into the soil with the foot or
patted down with a trowel. The more delicate species succumb to a
single thorough dusting and never recover from the effects of contact
with the powder. This preparation will also destroy Siphonophora
avence, but whether it could in any way be applied to a field of infested
grain has not been demonstrated.
The Black Chrysanthemum Aphis is one of the greatest pests of the
flower garden and gives much trouble to both amateurs and profes-
sional florists. It hibernates on the plant and attacks the stolons as
soon as they appear in the spring, and unless great care is taken to
eradicate it, it is more or less numerous on the plants throughout the
summer, dwarfing and deforming them by its punctures and by the loss
of sap which it appropriates. As soon as the buds are formed it seems
to develop with four-fold fecundity and requires assiduous attention to
keep in check. The Buhach or pyrethrum powder is utterly useless
against this species, probably because the plant from which it is made
is so close an ally of the Chrysanthemum. The X. O. dust, composed
of creosote and tobacco, is the best remedy within my knowledge, killing
the Aphis without the slightest injury to the plant. Ihave found it
best to apply during the middle of the day when the dew is off. A few
minutes after dusting the plants, I pass along the rows or among the
pots, and give each branch a smart shake or a blast of air from the
empty puff, and every Aphis that has not previously dropped is dis-
55.
lodged, and ‘‘to make assurance doubly sure,” it is stamped into the
earth. On most of the insect foes of the plant lice the dust produced
no disastrous effect, but the larvae of Syrphidie would, in some cases, not
recover from the pungent coating.
Arsenites of ammonia.—This new preparation, for which F. J. Andres,
25 Pearl street, New York, is the agent, was sent to me for experiment,
in accordance with directions from the entomologist of the Department
of Agriculture. It did not reach me until about the 1st of June, too
late for use on a number of insects. It is a clear solution of arsenic in
aqua ammonia, and apparently does not differ much from a preparation
of my own devising, as reported on two years ago, and with the effects
of which on vegetation I was not entirely satisfied. The directions ac-
companying each of the gallon bottles, in which it is put up, are to use
one tablespoonful of the liquid to a gallon of water.
June7.—Weather clear and hot. Prepared a quantity of the fluid as di-
rected and had it applied to the following plants: To potatoes, on which
were a few Doryphora larve; to rose bushes, on which still lingered a
few larvie of Selandria rose, Characlea angulata, and Amphipyra pyramt-
doides; to cabbage, covered with full-grown and young larve of Pieris
rape; to cucumbers and squash infested with Diabrotica. It was too
late in the season to test it thoroughly on apple for the Codling Moth,
and as there were scarcely any peaches or plums or curculios, its effect
on the latter insect can not be reported upon. Portions of the trees as
well as of cherry were sprayed to discover its effect upon the foliage.
June 9.—Made the rounds of all plants sprayed and noted results as
follows:
Potato plants slightly scorched, edges of the leaves curled, larvee of
Doryphora mostly on the ground dead, beetles sickly.
Rose bushes uninjured, or very slightly burned where the leaves were
very tender; all larve killed.
Cabbage uninjured; all Pieris and other larve killed. Cucumbers
much injured, squash less so; striped beetles killed or vanished.
Peach and cherry foliage badly scorched, turned yellow. Plum and
apple only slightly injured. Other experiments later in the season
made with one tablespoonful of the poison to one and one-half gallons
of water were not injurious to any except the most delicate foliage,
while in most cases it sufficed to kill Sphinx quinquemaculata and Helio-°
this armigera on tomato, Darapsa myron, Cidaria diversilineata, Psycho-
morpha epimenis, and De.mia maculalis on grape, with but slight damage
to the foliage. The fruit being “bagged” was not touched by it.
Empretia stimulea on plum and pear and Datana ministra on oak also
speedily died from eating leaves that had been dampened with it.
I do not consider these experiments conclusive, as with the heat and
drought, vegetation was not by any means in a vigorous condition, and
therefore more liable to injury from poisonous applications. It isa
most convenient preparation and leaves no sediment to disfigure the
56
foliage, and will, I trust, be found, by more thorough experiment,
efficient as an insecticide when used of a strength that will preclude
injury to foliage.
Late in the summer a preparation of petroleum sludge with soap
was sent me from the New York Chemical Works for trial, but there
were very few insects at that time on which to test it, while its almost
intolerable and persistent odor is really a serious objection to its use,
especially in small gardens.
In making my experiments, I have used the Lewis Combination
Force Pump and Syringe, and consider them well adapted for use in
small orchards and vineyards, and especially adapted for purposes of
experimentation, where the larger and heavier appliances are not
necessary,
REPORT ON WORK OF THE SEASON.
By HERBERT OSBORN.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
AmEs, IowA, October, 1899.
Sir: I transmit herewith a report upon the work of the season, including mention
of certain insects that haye been observed during the season and notes regarding
certain others, observations on which are in progress, with the expectation of giving
more detailed accounts of their life histories and habits.
There is much yet to be done on the insects affecting grass before anything like a
full report can be made upon them, but I shall hope to bring the work of the present
season into shape for submission at the end of the year.
The work on the parasites of domestic animals has been continued and a part is
already submitted for printing, while a considerable amount of other matter is in
form to be presented at an early date.
Very respectfully,
HERBERT Osborn.
rot Cony peekulianive
U. S. Entomologist.
During the past summer there has been no great depredation by any
single insect pest in the State, but a number of the common species of
insects have been working with their accustomed energy, and the losses
from this source in the State have probably been up to the average of
ordinary seasons.
The observations on insects affecting grass crops have been continued,
and I am only the more strongly impressed with the importance of the
insects affecting these crops in this State, and believe that the estimates
given in my last year’s report as to the probable loss from this source
to have been by no means overstated.
Judging by the reports of the correspondents of the Iowa Weather
and Crop Service, who represent every section of the State, the insects
that have caused most extensive injury are those infesting meadows
and pastures and sod land planted to corn. Not only are there numer-
ous reports of injury by insects to timothy, to pastures, and to corn
planted on land previously in grass, but numerous mention of poor
condition in meadows and pastures, shortage in grass and hay crop,
57
58
ete., which, to any one familiar with the great number of insects now
infesting grass land in this region, tell a certain story as to at least one
of the great sources of loss.
Frequent mention is made of the Cutworms, Grubworms, Wire-
worms, etc., and it is evident that a very great variety of species are
included in this list; but while I am certain that many species of Cut-
worms belonging to the common species of Noctuidz are included in
this list, I believe that much of this injury is due to the species of
Crambus treated in detail in my report for 1887, the Dried Crambus
(Crambus exsiccatus), or as called in the larval stage, the Sodworm or
Turf Webworm. ‘This has been very plentiful here in the adult form
the present season, though by no means so abundant as in 1887, and I
have no doubt that it has been as abundant in other parts of the State.
The work of this species in meadows, however, would not be readily
distinguished from that of Cutworms by those unfamiliar with the
habits of insects, and even in corn the effect on the plants is not easily
to be distinguished from the effects of Cutworms, Wireworms, or other
forms of insects attacking the stalks at or near the surface of the
ground.
LEAF HOPPERS IN GRASS.
In my report of last season I mentioned a number of species of leaf
hoppers (Jassidw) that are destructive in grass land. Further observa-
tion and collection in this same line has served to strengthen my opin-
ion as to the great amount of injury to be attributed to these minute
insects. A number of species particularly of the genus Deltocephalus
occur in immense numbers in grass land, and among the most common
of those observed here are the Deltocephalus (Jassus) inimicus Say,
treated of in last year’s report, but associated with these are D. debilis
Uhler., D. Sayi Fitch, D. Melsheimeri Fitch, and a number of species
apparently as yet undescribed. <A fuller report upon these I hope to
make a little later when material on hand can be more fully examined
and a more complete statement of results given, but it may be in place
to mention as one of the results of this study that I have been con-
vinced that these insects are a very important factor in the production
of ‘‘ silver-top ” in grass, this being one of the effects produced by their
suction of the juices of the plant and resulting when they penetrate the
succulent portion of the stem.at the base of the terminal node. That
other insects may and do cause this same form of withering and injury
to grass I do not deny, but in a great number of examinations of injured
stems I have in the great majority of cases found no insect within the
sheath of the injured part, and feel positive that for these the injury
could not have been produced by Thrips or Meromyza or any insect
working within the stem while the presence of immense numbers of the
leaf hopper on the affected plants and the presence of punctures show
clearly the possibility of the injury being due to them.
59
This question has been more fully discussed in a paper read with
your consent before the Association for the Promotion of Agricultural
Science at the Indianapolis meeting. In that paper I have referred to
different explanations for the silver-topped condition of grass and _ pre-
sented the grounds for my own opinion that for this locality and in
blue grass the injury must be referred mainly to these Jasside. From
the fact that these Jasside are exposed to the application of remedies
that would not affect insects protected in the sheath it is evident that
the adoption of measures to destroy these, as suggested in my last
year’s report, should result in a decrease of the “ silver-top.”
GRASSHOPPERS AND CRICKETS IN GRASS.
The common species of grasshoppers or locusts have been as usual
very plentiful, Melanoplus femur-rubrum probably heading the list for
abundance, but several other species, as IM. differentialis, Dissosteira
carolina, Tomonotus sulphureus, and Arphia sordida form a very con-
spicuous part of the grass-eating species. For the present season also
there has been a very great abundance of the little field cricket, Nemo-
bius vittatus.. This was noticed as especially abundant on sunny hill-
sides in pastures and in many places aggregated in such numbers
as to completely cover the surface of the ground. While this species
has been rather frequently mentioned among the species common
throughout the country and its herbivorous habits accepted, so far as
,I know by all, there has been apparently little attention to it as a de-
‘ structive species or one worthy of particular attention on account of
the injury it may cause in pastures.
It is quite evident, however, that when occurring in anything like the
abundance in which it has been observed here this season 1t must be
the cause of no little loss, and it may very well be associated with the
more frequently mentioned locusts in the category of destructive
meadow insects.
MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.
The Apple Leaf Skeletonizer (Pempelia hammondit) has been sent me
this season from near Des Moines, where it was reported as doing con-
siderable damage. This insect has been comparatively rare in the State
for a number of years, but from the account received of its appearance
this year it must have been in such numbers as to cause no little dam-
age, and it is to be hoped that prompt measures will be adopted by the
fruit-growers of that locality to prevent its spread.
The Turnus Butterfly (Papilio turnus) has been noticed as more than
ordinarily abundant, the larve occurring in considerable numbers on
various trees, especially on plum trees in this vicinity. While the species
has seldom assumed an economic importance, in this State at least, it
may be that it will require occasional attention, and it will of course
readily succumb to the treatment by spraying, so efficacious for leaf-
eating larve.
60
The Cherry Slug (Selandria cerasi) has also been quite plentiful and
damaging cherry and plum trees. It would appear that this insect has
been rather more than usually common in a considerable territory the
present season, as I have heard of it from various localities. Itis gen-
erally the case, however, that it does little damage for more than one
or two seasons in succession, so that it seems hardly necessary to take
any great amount of trouble in dealing with it unless it is working
destructively upon particular trees, when the usual poisonous sprays
suffice to rid the trees of its presence.
The Handmaid Moth (Datana ministra) has been on the increase
apparently for a number of years past and for the last two years has suc-
ceeded in defoliating quite a number of trees in the vicinity, especially
hickories and black walnuts. As mentioned in another place, the
arsenite of ammonia was used in treating it this fall and proved very
efficient in destroying the insects. Previously, we have used London
purple for this purpose, and there is apparently little choice, unless
there be sufficient difference in price to render one cheaper than the
other. Itis important in using any of the poisonous solutions for this
species to spray the whole tree or as much of it as possible, since when
only the part where the worms may be working at any particular time
is sprayed, they are very likely in their next move to occupy some part
where there is no poison to affect them, and they may in this way escape
until they have caused considerable damage to the tree.
Abbot’s White Pine Worm (Lophyrus abbotii) has appeared in the
State, and so far as I am aware it is the first time that this destructive
insect has been brought to notice in lowa. It was sent to me from
Farley and with the report that the evergreen trees were suffering
severely from its attacks,
The Corn Root Worm (Diabrotica longicornis) is evidently on the in-
crease and gradually extending throughout such localities as it has not
hitherto occupied. Here, it appears very abundantly in the adult stage,
and in fall, collecting in great numbers on flowers. So far as I know
there has notas yet been any very great injury to the corn in the vicinity,
but probably the worms occur in considerable numbers scattered through
the various fields, and it is probable that in a short time they will mul-
tiply to such an extent that in fields kept long in corn they will cause
serious loss.
The species of Diabrotica infesting squashes, melons, ete., D. vittata
and 12-punctata, have been very abundant the past season, though per-
hapsnot more s0 than is common for them, but the crops they infest have
required attention in order to prevent serious loss.
The Potato Stalk Weevil (Zrichobaris trinotatus) was observed this
season for the first time and occurred in such numbers as to cause con-
siderable damage. It was first noticed by Mr. F. A. Sirrine, a special
student in entomology, at present assisting in the botanical work in the
Experiment Station. It is quite likely that the insect has been present
61
in previous seasons in small numbers, but it has not been taken even in
the adult form, in this locality till this summer, so that it seems more
likely that it has been introduced in some way quite recently.
TESTS OF ARSENITE OF AMMONIA.
During the month of May I received instructions from Mr. Howard
to make tests of an insecticide put on the market by Fr. Jac. Andres,
of 25 Pearl street, New York, under the name of arsenite of ammonia,
as agent for the Caspar Schneider Chemical Works. In due time the
samples came from the New York firm and I proceeded to make such
tests as were possible to determine both the effects upon various kinds
of plants and its effectiveness in killing insects.
On the morning of May 30, 1890, between 9 and 10 o’clock of a hot,
sunny day, I sprayed the following plants with a view to giving a
thorough test of the effect on foliage:
Squash vines infested with Diabrotica vittata.
Cucumber vines infested with Diabrotica vittata.
Potato vines infested with Hpitrix cucumeris.
Plum, Cherry, Box-elder, Willow, Eleagnus, Elm, Mountain Ash,
Birch, Apple, Raspberry, beans, grass, and clover.
The results were watched closely for a number of days but the record
of June 2 gives the results for the entire set. On that day a careful
examination was made of all the plants that had been treated and it
was found that in no case could there be found any injury to the foliage,
except possibly a slight injury to the elm and the beans, but the injury
was so slight, if any, in these cases that it could hardly be charged with
certainty against the arsenite. The solution in this case was as given
in the directions, a tablespoonful to an ordinary pailful of water, and
the conclusion was that with this strength it could be applied without
danger to any of the above-named plants.
On the squash vines and cucumber vines the beetles seemed much
less abundant, but I was unable to find any dead insects around the
vines. The hills treated, however, remained quite free from further
trouble from these insects, while others in the vicinity were seriously
affected. The failure to find dead beetles under the treated plants
might easily result from the insects flying away after eating the poison
to places of shelter and dying there. The same was true of the flea-
beetle affecting potatoes. The beetles seemed much less abundant, but
no dead ones could be found under the treated vines.
While it was so late in the season that it was not expected that this
test would give any definite results as to the effect on the codling moth,
it is worthy of mention that the branches of the apple tree sprayed
with the arsenite were loaded with apples, while the other portions of
the tree were much less fully loaded.
The apples also of this portion were quite free from worms, though
in the late fall they were of course exposed to the action of the second
62
brood and a portion of the fruit was found infested. While this is not
given asa good example of the effect of spraying, it seems strong enough
certainly to warrant the conclusion that the arsenite of ammonia will
prove as effectual as any other form of the poison against this pest.
There were none of the Colorado Potato Beetles to be found in the
vicinity, so the poison could not be tested with them, a test that would
have been of course more satisfactory, especially with the larve, because
of the fact that the dead insects can afterward be found readily around
the treated vines.
I was able, however, to give a thorough trial of the insecticide prop-
erties of the substance later in the season on the common Handmaid
Moth (Datana ministra), which was very plentiful on some of the hickory
and black walnut trees in the vicinity. A single application of the
poison was found to kill the caterpillars in large numbers, evidently af-
fecting all that fed upon the leaves that had been reached by the poison.
Dead caterpillars began to be found in 24 hours from time of application,
and for two or three days afterward the caterpillars were dying off rap-
idly. Theapplication was in this case made a little stronger than in the
first trials, and in a few days the trees showed some injury from the ef-
fects of the arsenite, so it seems quite evident that the strength for these
trees must be kept within the limits indicated by the directions. The
liquid is very convenient to mix with water, and forms probably a very
uniform mixture, so that it seems to possess some points of superiority
ver the arsenites in solid form.
REPORT ON SOME OF THE INSECTS AFFECTING CEREAL
CROPS.
By F. M. WmsBsTErR.
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
La FAYETTE, IND., October 22, 1890.
Str: I herewith submit my annual report of observations on some of the insects
affecting cereal grains. For assistance in carrying on the experiments connected
with the studies of the Hessian Fly, lam greatly indebted to the following gentlemen:
Hon. Samuel Hargrave, Princeton; Mr. W.S. Ratliff, Richmond; Mr. Miles Martin,
Marshall; Hon. W. Banks, La Porte, and Hon. J. N. Lakta, Hawpatch; to Purdue
University, and later the experiment station. I am also under obligations for use
of land, seed, and labor in carrying out my own experiments here at La Fayette.
To yourself especially, and others of the division, Iam under many obligations for
the determination of specimens and other numberless favors.
Respectfully submitted.
F. M. WEBSTER.
Dr: Vi. RILEY,
U.S. Entomologist.
THE HESSIAN FLY.
Number and Development of Broods.
My experiments, notes, and observations upon this insect extend
over a period of a little over six years, and while it received little more
attention than was given other wheat-destroying species, a considerable
number of facts have accumulated which, while not by any means
clearing up all of the mysteries of the pest, will nevertheless serve to
throw some light on several obscure points. Unless otherwise stated,
all of my observations and experiments herein recorded relate to the
State of Indiana, extending from latitude 37° 50’ to about 41° 45/ N.
The exact latitude of many places of observation is given, not so much
for the American reader or investigator as for those of other countries,
notably England and Russia.
My experiments and observations have been carried on almost exclu-
sively out of doors and very largely in the fields, as I consider indoor
and breeding-cage observations on this species, except for the purpose
63
64
of securing specimens and parasites, of very doubtful value from an
economic standpoint or as indicating its normal habits. The obserya-
tions have many of them been once and often twice substantiated.
In ordinary seasons and throughout the area above indicated the
statement made long ago by Dr. Fitch that the Hessian Fly is double
brooded is true. While in the southern portion of the State the fall
brood of adults seem to appear some weeks later than in the northern
part, nevertheless I have found but two destructive broods. Between
these two broods, however, is a considerable mass of fluctuating indi-
viduals, the true position of which is rather anomalous.*
At LaFayette, Ind., latitude 40° 27’, wheat plants were transferred
from the fields to the breeding cages April 5, 1890, and kept out of
doors. The seed producing these plants had been sown the preceding
September 3. On April 17 a female emerged, and a male appearing
soon after, these, on April 22, were both placed together on young
growing wheat planted in a breeding cage, out of doors. From these
adults were secured June 8. The attempt was made to follow the off-
spring of these, but failed on account of the wheat being killed by rust.
On June 7, and also on the 14th, 1888, in the same locality, adults were
observed ovipositing, the eggs being placed on the youngest and most
tender shoots, and there was every evidence that these eggs developed
through the larval to the flaxseed stage by early July. Besides, I have
observed in the same locality late-growing shoots literally overrun
with very young larve on the 26th of June, and found larvee as late as
the 10th of July.
On October 16, 1887, Mr. W. 8. Ratliff, who made a great number of
experiments for me, near Richmond, Ind. (latitude 30° 51’), secured
adults from a small plot of wheat plants which appeared above the
ground September 4. From a plant from this same plat that had been
transplanted indoors, he secured an adult female 11 days earlier. In
either of these cases with favorable weather the female could have
sent her offspring into the winter in the flaxseed state. Mr. Ratliffalso
observed adults on July 10, 1887. At La Fayette, Ind., the same au-
tumn, I saw females ovipositing on November 3, in a temperature of 64°
F., among the plants. From a platsown August 13, and which came up
on the 17th, I obtained adults of both sexes on October 1, 44 days after
the plants appeared and 48 days after sowing. That larve, even
though quite inmature when winter begins, may survive till spring has
been demonstrated again and again, and was especially true of the
exceedingly mild winter of 1889-90. In fact, by a series of sowings all
* Dr. Fitch states that the eggs of the fall brood are deposited in the State of New
York early in September, and also that ‘the deposit is doubtless made later to the
south of us than it is here in New York.” (Seventh Report.) Mr. Edward Tilghman
observed oviposition in Queen Anne’s County, Maryland, about latitude 39° to 39°
30’, during the second week in October, and mentions it as of usual! occurrence. (Lhe
Cullivator, May, 1841.)
65
stages of the insect can be produced continually from April to October,
and by keeping a cage indoors I have produced adults in abundance in
January.
As Dr. Lindeman has well stated, the puparia are greatly influenced
by environment, temperature, etc., and this is probably true of the other
stages, larvie of different ages being, for all we know, influenced to a
different degree. To these facts must be added another of considerable
moment, viz, while nominally two brooded, flaxseeds collected by me in
the spring of one year have lived over to the spring of the following year.
This is also true of at least one of the parasites of the species. How far
the number of these interlopers is augmented by a retarded develop-
ment of greater or less extent it is impossible to say, but that thereis an
accession through this means there can be nodoubt. In fact, it would
appear as though nature had in this way provided against the extine-
tion of the species.
Now, is it proper for us, from these scattering individuals, to attempt
to construct distinct broods? Itseemstomenot. I have several times
sown wheat at La Fayette early in July and never had it seriously in-
fested by Hessian fly until late in August or early in September. Very
young larve were exceedingly abundant early in October of this year
in a field of early-sown wheat near La Fayette.
It is true that observations during a single season, in a single locality,
might produce apparently good evidence of a third brood, but a con-
tinued close study of the species in such locality will probably show it
unfounded. That these aberrant individuals may, under favorable con-
ditions, collect or ‘‘ bunch” together in certain fields is probably true,
but my own experience has been that the following year this irregu-
larity will have disappeared or have been reduced to a minimum by the
effect of the weather during midsummer and winter. On June 24, 1887,
near Princeton, Indiana, latitude 38° 23’ N., I found a field of wheat,
sown about the first of the preceding November, literally alive with
larve from one-fourth to nearly or quite full grown. There were no
pup to speak of in this field at the time, but in other fields in the
vicinity these were abundant, but here there was no larve to be found.
At this date wheat harvest was at its height. The late-sown field had
evidently attracted the late-appearing adults of the fall before, and
their progeny, living over in this field, as delayed larve, emerged cor-
respondingly late in the spring, giving rise to the generation of larvze
observed by me. My reason for taking this view is that I have several
times tried to draw off the spring brood of flies by offering them young
plants on which to oviposit, but have always failed, as they seemed to
prefer tender shoots of older plants to the young plants themselves. In
the- fall this characteristic seems to be somewhat the reverse, although
even then, if attacked after tillering, the tillers will be chosen instead
of the main stem. The fall brood of adults is probably the migratory
brood, and their power of detecting wheat plants is almost phenomenal,
25910— Bull. 23——5
66
T have drawn them to a small plat of wheat sown in a secluded corner
of my garden, in the midst of town, fully half a mile from any wheat
fields. - But, be this as it may, a second brood of larve in June would
be rather difficult to sustain, as the puparia of the earlier part of the
month are known to remain in that stage until September. Neither
have I been able to secure any better evidence of a brood originating in
volunteer wheat during July and August. Puparia are to be found
every year from one end of the State to the other in this volunteer
wheat, but here in Indiana I have never found these sufficiently numer-
ous to imply a distinct brood. Professor Forbes and his assistants,
working in Illinois, appear to have a greater confidence in this extra
brood than myself, although, as will appear farther on, our experiments
were carried on the one perfectly independent of the other, though only
a few miles apart.
My attention has been called to the condition of this field near Prince-
ton, by Honorable Samuel Hargrove, member of the board of trustees of
Purdue University, and also a member of the State Board of Agricul-
ture, who willingly agreed to further aid in the investigations by sow-
ing for me plats of wheat at intervals of about 2 weeks, beginning as
soon as possible after harvest. Being detained in Louisiana myself
until nearly the 1st of August, and the weather being exceedingly dry,
no plats were sown until August 4, 1887, followed by another on August
22,and a third September 5. These were sown on one of Mr. Hargrove’s
farms, about 10 miles northeast of Princeton.
The first two sowings, owing to the drought, came up sparingly and
about the same time. The third was also affected by drought, and did
not come up until about the Ist of October. These plats were sown
along the lower edge of a high, rolling stubble field, which had been
too dry to plow, and in which I had found an abundance of flaxseeds
the preceding June.
These plats were examined by me on October 8. The two earlier-
sown plats had thrown up a good growth of plants, which had tillered
finely, being along a low ravine. On these plats I found a number of
larvee, which were nearly or quite grown, and a less number of flaxseeds,
one of which was empty. Besides these, the plants were literally alive
with very young larve, so young, in fact, that they had not yet lost
their reddish tint. The third plat had sent up the normal number of
plants, which were now in the second leaf. These plants had not ap-
peared in time for the earlier deposited eggs, but were even more seriously
infested by young larve than the plants of the two earlier plats. One
of the plants from the last plat is before me, and contains twenty-six
young larve, all of which must have hatched from the eggs only a few
days prior to my observations. Now, from whence did the progenitors
of these young larve originate? Most assuredly not from volunteer
wheat, because there was none. Not from my earlier-sown plats, else
these would have shown the effect. There are, it seems to me, but two
67
other sources from which they could have come, viz, the stubble, which
I know to have been infested, and grasses, which we have no knowledge
of the species affecting.
These plats were plowed up soon after examination, as I was afraid
to allow them to stand thus, a menace to the adjoining fields the follow-
ing spring, though the plants would have probably been destroyed
before even a small portion of the larve matured.
From all the information that I am able to gather, the usual time of
appearance of the fall brood of adult flies in southern Indiana is the
last portion of September, or some years the first days of October.
This is, I believe, the opinion of the most observing farmers, including
Hon. J. Q. A. Seig, of Corydon, Harrison County, who is as familiar
with the earlier stages of the pest and its effect upon fall wheat as I
am myself. Mr. J. P. Londen, of Sharp’s Mills, same county, stated
that wheat sown on October 1, 1886, was damaged 50 per cent., while
that sown on the 6th was injured only 15 per cent. Mr. J. A. Burton,
writing from Mitchell, Lawrence County, November 24, 1887, gave the
results of his examination of wheatfields as follows: Fields sown Sep-
tember 8, about one plant in 8 infested; sown September 15, about
one plant in 12; sown September 22, about one plant in 50, and
sown October 1, seemingly free from injury. The observations of these
gentlemen also coincide with my own, made in November, 1888, in Har-
rison and Posey Counties. Therefore, from all the information which
I have been able to gain, the best season for wheat sowing, to avoid the
attacks of the Hessian fly in extreme southern Indiana, is soon after
the 1st of October. Exactly how far northward this advice will apply
I am unable to say, but am inclined to think it would cover territory
laying between latitude 38° and 39°, and possibly 39° 30’, although
near the northern limit it would probably be safe during ordinary years .
to sow soon after September 25.
During the years 1887 and 1885 Mr. W. 8S. Ratliff made a large num-
ber of very careful observations, and sowed a series of plats of wheat
on different dates near Richmond, Ind. In 1887 plats were sown August
5 and 29, September 12 and 26. All of these plats were attacked and
more or less injured except the last, which as late as December 19
showed not the least injury by the Hessian fly. Up to May 31, 1888,
there was very little injury to this plat, and even on the above date
there were very few larvee as compared with the number on the others.
From this date on till July 11 the plats were all injured by black and
red rusts, Chinch bugs, and the Wheat Stem maggot, the greater injury
appearing to fail upon this, so that at harvest, July 11, the last was
the poorest of allin yield, that sown August 15 being the best. The
sowings of 1888 were as follows: September 6, 20; October 4, 22; No-
vember 1. On November 14 the first plat was found to be infested by
_larve of the Hessian fly. During June, 1889, Chinch bugs again at-
tacked the plants growing on these plats, and the grain aphis seriously
68
injured the later sown plats, so that at harvest, July 5, these latter
were the poorest of all, the other three averaging about alike. All of
these plats during both years had been sown in narrow strips among
corn along one side, the remainder of the field being corn, and later
also sown to wheat, thus bringing the latest-sown plats between those
sown earliest and the entire field itself, as appeared to me, the severest
test to which I could subject the several plats. The results, while not
conclusive or even entirely satisfactory, indicate that in that latitude
about September 25 is, generally speaking, a good time to sow wheat
to escape fall attacks of the fly and winter killing. A series of plats
sown for me by Mr. Miles Martin, of Marshall, Parke County, Ind., in
very near the same latitude as Richmond, but nearer the western border
of the State, gave rather more conclusive results, the sowings of Sep-
tember 22 being almost entirely exempt from the attack of the Hessian
fly, while earlier plats were infested.
In regard to my own experiments here on the Experiment Station
grounds at Lafayette, 1 may state that I have never been able to pro-
voke a disastrous attack of the pest, though there has been nothing left
undone which could possibly induce the adult flies to oviposit at any
time between March and December; and there is probably not a month
between these dates during which the insect could not have been found
in all of its stages. The two destructive broods, however, invariably
appear in May and September; in the latter case usually before the
20th.
My own experimental showings were rather more elaborate and ex-
tensive than those of any of my correspondents, comprising a number
of varieties and extending over several months. Without going into
details, the experiments and results may be summarized as follows:
1887, plats comprising the varieties Michigan Amber, Clawson and
Velvet Chaff, each one width of a grain drill twenty rods in length, were
sown on the following dates: August 13, 27; September 10, 24; Octo-
ber 8, 27; November 5,19. The autumn was very dry, and the plants
of the first six plats went into winter in poor condition, being very
small, while the last two sowings did not come up until the following
spring. The severe winter destroyed the plants so generally, that only
the first three produced sufiicient grain to pay for harvesting. These
were also the only ones to suffer from the fall.attack of the fly, the first
producing adults October 1. Plat 8 was attacked on the following June,
and on the 26th was badly infested with young larve, full-grown larvee
and puparia, the latter, the most numerous, were found on the 16th of
July. The plats harvested produced a poor crop, but the Michigan
Amber ranked first, Velvet Chaff second, and Clawson the poorest of all.
ery
69
The condition of the Hessian fly in these three plats, at the time of
harvest, July 10, 1888, may be inferred from the result of examinations
made on this date.
EMD bys WAxXseedS) oe acs aoc selene. seieasa sao spews cis ec em ajetsccrcinae 15
Containing healthy pups or parasites....-...---.---..-----.----. 69
Vcore aeiotemae tesciceisl see ee eee ee ee cinae eens Seis ssivinieilainisiasiacie 16
MNO lial leet eee oie aetaia at ste an ote inte a cnete sieteraetnainin wii Seteicin ofeimicieiel Seale 100
August 3, the state of the insect in these same plats was as follows:
lava DUN; HEREC ae Gok cipap nde DOOODE DHS AOO Hebe Dns DEDPCurCCD eoDooc 53
Containing healthy pups and parasites.......-..---------- --<-0< 47
otal nes clase osc e tiew estas clavseryee ciate cis shacieia, clecisleais's sistae esis 100
The condition of the insect on September 1, as shown by examination
of the stubble, is indicated below:
PM yp AXSCOOS cme cibre ee esine ae eleaae cece = cco were siclecerse ain nee aeate 55
Healthystlaxsecdshiscecccce arse cee nse ne epee cel aw ae sae an oe eaaete 28
RaTARILIZeO HaXBOOGS = ase ete om eee ol ost e an ete ne eeoetosetes oe 17
: Saye BAS are MTA ga EM ot EL VM Sea me A IR RE 100
Notwithstanding the per cent of healthy puparia passing the summer
was small, there is little probability that many adult flies emerged.
A plat of the same dimensions was sown July 16, along one side of the
first three sown the previous fall, the plants of this last sowing coming
up ten days later. This plat was closely watched. After July 17 only
an occasional larva was found. By August 4 plants had been de-
stroyed by the combined influences of chinch bugs and dry weather,
but a second plat has been sown adjoining, and the plants of this ap-
peared above ground on August 6. On September 4, 200 plants were
examined and but two larveze were found thereon. A second examina- -
tion of the same number of plants from this plat, on September 15, re-
vealed a small number of young larve. ‘A third examination of this
plat on October 6 showed about 1 per cent of the plants to be infested.
Stubble from the three original plats, keptin breeding cages, out of doors,
did not give adults until the 17th of September, although it is quite
probable that some few were abroad before that date. It will be seen,
however, that no great number could have emerged from the stubble,
and the increase in the number of empty flaxseeds between July 10 and
September 1is doubtless to be attributed to parasites. This appears all
the more probable, as I have repeatedly observed these parasites
during July and August emerge in breeding cages, and at once begin
to oviposit in flaxseed in the stubble from which they had themselves
emerged. The percentage of healthy puparia reaching September in
safety, however, was probably unusally small, as experiments on the
same ground the following year did not suffer near somuch from either
fall or spring attacks. Another feature of these experiments is, that
it strongly indicates that the larger per cent of the parasites emerge
prior to the 1st of August. Indeed, stubble from the entire length of
—
70
the State, collected in June and placed in breeding out of doors here
at La Fayette, has indicated the truth of this.
The sowings of 1888 were made on August 30, September 18, October
3, 6. Of these, only the first sown were attacked in the fall, that sown
on September 18 being in the best condition the following July. Dur-
ing May, 1889, the plants of these plats were found to be much less
infested than some fields a considerable distance away, although such
fields had been sown on oats stubble, while the ground on which my
experiments were located was the same that had been used for this
purpose the previous year.
The sowings of 1889 were continued on the same grounds, the plats
being sown September 3-20, October 4-18, November4. The autumn
attack was the most severe on the first plat, but the extremely mild fall
and winter was so favorable to the development of the flies that the
spring attack was unusually severe, and appeared to fall upon the
three earlier sown plats with about equal force. The later sown plats,
though the plants were much the younger, did not suffer so much, but
these were very seriously affected by the weather during early spring.
These experiments appeared to indicate that, in this latitude, while
wheat sown as early as the last of August may under favorable con-
ditions and during particular seasons produce as good or even a bet-
ter crop than when sown at a later date, yet such cases are the ex-
ception and not the rule; but that wheat sown as soon as possible
after the 20th of September stands the best chance of evading the at-
tacks of the fly and withstanding the unfavorable weather, the regular
operations of the University farm during the last seven years certainly
substantiate. It is the custom with the experiment farm, each year,
to sow the regular field crop at this time, and in no case has severe
injury been sustained from attacks of the Hessian fly. Fields on ad-
joining farms sown at earlier dates have frequently been seriously in-
jured, although this has not invariably followed.
Another series of experimental sowings was carried on for me by Hon.
W. A. Banks, near La Porte, Ind., about latitude 41° 35’. The first
series of these sowings was begun in August of 1887. The sowings of
1888 were not carried on under Mr. Banks’s immediate supervision, and
were of little value. No experiments were made in 1889, but a well
planned and carefully executed series were sown in the fall of 1890,
The series of 1887, each of which comprised two widths of a grain drill,
extended along one side of the field about 60 rods in length, the first
of which was sown on August 13, the plants appearing above ground
within a few days. The second sowing was on August 23, a third on
September 2, the fourth September 12, the fifth September 22, the
sixth and last on October 7. These plats were visited by me on Octo-
ber 14, and their condition found to be as follows: The first was found
to be infested by great numbers of larvee and puparia, some of the
shells of the latter being empty, and the plants were seriously dam-
(|
aged. The second plat was even worse injured than the first, and the
third much worse than either ofthe others. The fourth appeared to be
almost as badly infested as the third, but it had only partly tillered,
and henee there was a better prospect for it to throw up unaffected
shoots. The fifth had not tillered, and was only very slightly infested,
with very young larve, while the sixth was not yet up.
On April 12, 1888, the plats were visited again. About 25 per cent
of the plants on the first three plats appeared to have survived. The
fourth was apparently 50 per cent better, the fifth was in almost
as good shape as the fourth, while the sixth was backward, the plants
being small and thin on the ground.
The estimate yield, made by Mr. Banks at time of harvest, on
the basis of 20 bushels per acre as an average yield, was as follows:
First plat, 50 per cent; second, 50 per cent; third, 65 percent; fourth,
90 per cent; fifth, 70 per cent. The remainder of the field was sown
on September 2, and shared in the destruction in common with plat
3. Another field at some distance from this was sown about Septem-
ber 20 and sustained no material injury.
It will be observed that the first three plats were sown almost at the
same time as the first three at La Fayette, yet stubble from the first
three plats at La Porte, collected on September 2 and placed in a breed-
ing cage beside another containing stubble from the first three at La
Fayette, gave adult-flies nearly a week earlier. In other words, the
majority of the adults from Mr. Banks’s plats emerged prior to Septem-
ber 15, while those from my own did not reach their maximum num-
bers until after the 15th, and from then on till the 25th. In both
cases, however, a few stragglers emerged occasionally until early in
October. As previously stated, the plats of 1888 were not properly
sown, Mr. Banks not being able to attend to them himself; but a visit
to the locality on November 8 revealed but very little injury to wheat
which had been sown after the middle of September.
The experiment plats of 1890 were sown September 1, 10, 20, 80.
These were examined late in October and fully substantiated the ex-
periments of previous years. The sowing of September 1 was consid-
erably injured, while that of the 10th was very seriously affected, as
was also a large field adjoining sown but a day or two later. The sow-
ing of September 20 was comparatively free from attack, while that
sown September 30 appeared to have almost entirely escaped injury.
The sixth and last series of experiments were made for me by Hon.
J. N. Latta, at Haw Patch, Lagrange County, in about the same lati-
tude as La Porte. The sowings were made in 1887, the first being
drilled on July 28, but owing to drought the plants did not appear
above ground until about the 28th of August. The second plat was
sown on August 15, butcame up the same time as the first; the third,
sown September 1, came up September 6; the fourth, sown September
12, came up September 21; the fifth, sown September 24, came up the
12
28; while the sixth and last was sown October 12, and did not come
up until about the 20th. These plats were examined by me on Octo-
ber 17; the first three and the last sown were very poor, the fourth
and fifth promising a fair yield. A field adjoining, sown on the same
day as plat 5, did not suffer from the fly and produced nearly an aver-
age yield of 20 bushels per acre.
The results of these meager experiments have, as a rule, proven
correct in the fields of the farmers. I have not only observed this
myself, but it has become well known in the locality that wheat sown
before September 15 and after the 30th of the same month seldom pro-
duces a good crop, while that sown between the 15th and the 25th is
the most likely to escape the attack of the Hessian fly, and, as a general
thing winters, as well as that sown earlier.
In summing up the results of this entire system of experiments, it
seems that while no exact date can be Jaid down for the appearing of
the fall brood of fly in any precise locality, there is, notwithstanding,
a gradual delay in its appearance as we go from the north southward.
In other words, there is kere a characteristic element in the life history
of. the species which may be utilized by the farmer to his advantage.
Fruit-growers, I believe, estimate that in spring the season advances
northward at the rate of about 12 miles per day. This would be a
trifle less than 6 days per degree of latitude. If farmers in extreme
northern Indiana and southern Michigan can sow their wheat with
safety about the 12th to the 15th of September (and we have demon-
strated that the fall brood emerges largely prior to the 15th), and
farmers in extreme southern Indiana must delay sowing until after the
first days of October, there must be a general system of retardation,
which, if understood, may be used to advantage throughout the inter-
vening territory.
Starting in southern Michigan on the 12th to 15th and passing 4
degrees south to the vicinity of Evansville, Ind., we should expect
about the same condition of the Hessian fly during the first week of
October. That is, if we pass the danger line about the second week
of September in southern Michigan, we should expect to encounter it
again in southern Indiana in the first or second week of October. A
considerable correspondence and my own experiments indicate that
this is usually true. It is not to be supposed, however, that it is
possible for me to give precise dates for given localities, as there is
another element which is likely to figure in these calculations, viz, ele-
vation. It has been stated upon reliable authority that ‘‘ an elevation
of 350 feet is equal to 1 degree of cold in the mean annual tempera-
ture, or 60 miles on the surface northward.”* While we can hardly
expect this to influence comparatively level countries like the State of
Indiana at least to any marked degree, extensive areas of high table-
* Draper’s Intellectual Development of Europe, Harper Bros., New York, revised
edition, vol. 1, p. 29.
13
lands would be apt to show its effect more distinctly. There may also
be some obscure influence peculiar to the natures of the different soils.
It will be seen, therefore, that the experiments have fallen far short
of settling the whole problem, yet it seems to me that they have been
carried as far as profitable, and the matter is now in proper state to be
taken up by the intelligent farmer, whose experimental plats are his
fields. And it may be added that this is done with a feeling on my part
that whatever of truth there may be in the matter will stand as a nu-
cleus about which others may build, while whatever there may be of
error will as surely disappear.
THE EFFECT OF THE LARVZ ON THE PLANTS.
The effect of the larvae, especially on the young plants, does not ap-
pear to be generally understood, and I have myself been able to verify
either the figures or descriptions of Fitch and Packard only in excep-
tional cases. The swollen bulb just above the roots in Fitch’s figures
gives but a vague idea of the true appearance, while Packard’s figure
represents plants which have very evidently sprung from seeds only
slightly covered by thesoil. Besides, the former figure only represents
the condition of the plants long after the larvze have done their work,
and the latter, aside from the shoot being shorter, gives no idea of the
appearance of an infested stem, as found in nature, growing in the fields.
The yellow color of the foliage—there is usually more brown than yellow
about it—appears later, after the larve are full-fed, and then itis largely,
at least, confined to the younger leaves, the older ones, under whose
sheaths the larve occur, are killed by the freezing weather of winter. [n
Circular No. 2 of the Agricultural Experiment Station of Purdue Uni-
versity I have given a representation of an infested plant fresh from the
field drawn from nature. The plant had been attacked soon after its ap-
pearance above ground and had not tillered. The leaves under these
conditions are broader, darker green, more vertical and bunchy. The
youngest leaf on a healthy plant as it unfolds and pushes upward is of
atubular form and spindle-shaped, somewhat as represented in Pack-
ard’s figure of a healthy plant. In the case of an affected plant, the
stem having been destroyed below ground, the spindle-shaped central
leaf is always absent. The difference between a healthy and infested
plant is shown by a comparison of figures. If a plant has already till-
ered, each of the identical laterals, as they are attacked, will begin to
take on the form and color above described. It is, therefore, not only
possible to detect an infected plant without removing it from the
ground, but also to determine the individual tiller infested. Now, while
this feature of infested plants is so very clearly marked, at least after
the larve are one-third grown, and from an economic standpoint of so
much importance that it is surprising that it should have been over-
looked, yet I can not myself lay claim to the fact by right of discovery,
as it was pointed out to me by a farmer in the autumn of 1884, and was
74
the outcome of circular No. 1, issued in October, 1884, from Purdue
University. It was only after testing the stability of this feature in
various fields, under widely different conditions, that I placed full
reliance upon its permanency. An illustrated circular of inquiry, No. 2,
issued by myself from Purdue University during the fall of 1887,
brought also a great number of replies, from among which I have
selected the two following, because of their widely separated localities
and the well-known ability of the writers:
CLYDE, N. Y., December 9, 1887.
DEAR SiR: In regard to the appearance of wheat plants infested with Hessian fly,
and as illustrated and explained by Fig. 3 of circular, I believe that it is correct in the
main, especially the darker color possessed by infected plants over healthy plants,
and this is, as yousay, quite different from the information given by Fitch and Pack-
ard; and you have published this quite constant and true form and condition for the
first time, I believe. I had noticed this somewhat a year ago, and in bringing up the
destruction done by the Hessian fly in a Grange meeting, I found that a number of
farmers reported this very condition, viz: when fields or parts of fields looked extra
dark colored and healthy, damage from the fly was to be apprehended there. Still,
the yellow color came after a while, especially with early-sown winter wheat in a
long autumn or the following spring. I think the spring brood are apt to select
tillers.
Truly,
W. L. DEVEREAUX.
Prof. F. M. WEBSTER,
La Fayette, Ind.
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE,
Berkeley, December 15, 1887.
Deak Sir: Your favor of November 238, with circular relating to appearance of
grain infested with Hessian fly, received. The appearances you describe are quite
characteristic of fly-infested grain here, but it is not seen in the fall, for we do not have
any grain above ground at that time. The districts in which the fly is found in this
State are of narrow area comparatively near the coast. In these parts it is not usual
to sow grain until after the winter rains have wet the ground enough for plowing,
and sowing can some years be made as late as the last of February, and still do well.
It is better, however, both for the growth of the grain and baffling of the fly, to sow
in January if the sgil is in proper condition. For these reasons we do not find the
flaxseeds until about the first of March, and then it is that the grain assumes the fea-
ture you describe. It is a very bunchy growth, with very few yellow leaves and ex-
ceedingly few seed stems thrown out. On some of our plats there will not bea single
stem, but the grain will remain bunchy and low for weeks, and then will turn yellow
and die as the dry season comes on. On other plats there will be a seed stem thrown
out here and there, and a few heads will ripen.
Such is my recollection of the appearance of past crops. We do not intend to sow
wheat and barley this year on our fly-infested ground, but the pest may follow our
sowing on another part of the grounds, and if it will be of interest to you, I will
watch the plants and send you specimens.
Yours very truly,
E. J. WICKSON,
Prof. F. M. WEBSTER,
15 ?
If the soil is rich and the plants are attacked before they have til-
lered, these last will be thrown out from the roots which are not
injured. These, if the fall be very favorable, and the winter does not
commence too early, will often winter through and produce stem-bear-
ing heads the following harvest. On the other hand, if the autumn be
dry, or the ground be frozen early in the season, the crop will probably
prove a failure. Thisis the reason why some fields will present a much
better appearance the following June, and give a much better yield
than could have been anticipated from appearances during the fall. The
practical value of knowing how to detect the infested plants readily
is in that the destruction may be observed and the damage estimated
long before the foliage turns brown or yellow, and the fields be plowed
up and resown or allowed to remain, as the owner judges best. If re-
sown, it would seem best to replow also. Mr. W. A. Oliphant, of Pike
County, southern Indiana, writing me in the fall of 1884, in reply to
circular No. 1, stated that of 300 acres he had resown 200 acres after re-
plowing, and 100 acres without piowing. The first yielded him 274 and
the last 11 bushels per acre.
The popular notion in regard to the effect of larvce on the straw is,
so far as I know, usually correct. This year, however, has been an ex-
ception, at least so far as southern and central Indiana is concerned.
As far north at least as La Fayette the larve of the spring brood were
located just above the roots, and the straw did not break at the lower
joints, as is usually the case, but either fell or was blown over from the
roots, the culm usually being uninjured elsewhere. I observed this to
a very limited extent at Oxford, Indiana, in 1881. In fields about La
Porte, in the northern part of the State, none of this lower attack of
the plant was noticed, the larvie and later the puparia being invariably
found just above some of the lower joints. Mr. James Fletcher, Do-
minion entomologist of Canada, reported at the meeting of the En-
tomological Club of the American Association for the Advancement
of Science at Indianapolis that the wheat about Ottawa, Canada, had
this year suffered from the attacks of larve of the spring brood in pre-
cisely the same manner as I had observed at La Fayette and south-
ward. Quite a percentage of the pupz in the fields about La Porte
were located so high up the stem as to render it probable that they
would be carried away with thestraw. As yet I have not found a good
reason for this difference, but have a vague idea that the killing down
of the plants during the preceding March migbt have had something
to do with it, as this was less severe in the northern part of the State.
THE EFEECT OF THE WEATHER ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE FALL BROOD.
It is quite probable that some autumns are more favorable for the development of
the insect than others, but just what the favorable influences are is not well under-
stood. Mr. Ratliff, at Richmond, saw an adult emerge from the pupa on October 16;
the wheat which it infested appeared above ground on September4. Between these
76
two dates, Mr. Ratlift’s notes give the following record of minimum temperatures
through which the insect must have necessarily passed.
September 23: (frosh) cee bee oe ctccte canaica owes ene eee eee ene 26°
October.G\(Mohttrost) eco. besa acer c see eee eee ae ea eee 26°
October 17 (hghtirost) <s- <a h ani cee Seb eos G ae ee eee a eee 34°
October 12 ight Trost) —.o.s222 Sos e oe sec ne oka a elee eee eee mee 26°
‘Octoberl4(heavyarost)* aces: Giet ctecce. ec ee eeiseacee mae eee 24°
October 5(Gast) ih esses ss cneet Caese oom Sa Dee nae anata eae eee 26°
OstoberaG (Mehttrost). 5.2 gecce os cede. ocecenlee ene cece Ree ee 29°
Rains on September 11, 26, October 10. Total precipitation during September and
October, 2.50 inches.
At La Fayette, the same year, I found adults ovipositing on November 3, but of the
origin of these flies of course nothing wasknown. The temperature through which
these must have passed, supposing the eggs from which they evolved were deposited
after September 1, was as follows: i
Min. temp.
Septemberi2s ts-< cc dear Ws seeeioe eee ae ines a Sen ei ee eee ee ee 39°
Esepiembenca((hirst irost)|-ss< sane cece ee eee once eee ee eee eee
OGtoberd eso S see, Foe este em See ese ke er oe 39°
October U2\(Grost) sips. tenho ccna p ieee cee coneee peers eee eee 7H)2)
October 14 (frost) 22.6. 22 cone wees costes eee eee eee eee Eee
Octoberd d ((EOSt) ie te 8. acc stele ciserace cee RSE ne eet eee eee ene 31°
(OYG (0) 82) is OR eee a een cr a Meer rt So SOL AAs Gone 38°
OctoberdOY(Grost) eos. o- 8 eee sees once eee eee ee eee ee eee a2
October, 20°(ightisnow).jseseeas nee eee coats eee ee ee oe eee 37°
Me halver Ol Feist kta aioe Aide foe ee See eee Ie ee ee 29°
Octoperie2 ssceih sais fe te se eeiserd wae dae bere See Cie Get eee eee 219
October olChrost))\2sc.01 cis.5 See Nao Sai eae Re eee 132
October 2GK(irost) se oe acece ess see cee eee ee pee eee
October aMrost) 22.2 see eae ee ae eae eee ea Eee eee 21o
October 28 Grost) 4.5 tea ee Se ets eee eS ee 28°
October 2b. Fast o. Pi girs ete Ue eee eee Ceo ee eer eee 33°
Octoberis0 rost) s sce: Sac Seis oot ese Sec heee e eee eee oe ee eee 13S
October Se sencc232s0 hs Se ceee es ces Ge yeaa eee eee eer EOE 28°
Noeyember' (trout) 22. << dsswe se diee ce oS Sea. ea abn ee eee aes 28°
Novemberi2"(frost) cae sesacoce cea smereninoee ceca eee Eee EERE ems OS
Novermber!s (rest). cane cascs esse een eos eeee cece sae Seeeene ee 32°
Rains on September 7, 13, 14, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, October 3, 9, 10, 12,
23. Total rainfall, 4.64 inches.
From this it will be observed that the adult flies may emerge and
oviposit under what we suppose to be very adverse circumstances. To
what extent the eggs and young larve are able to withstand such
weather I have no facilities at present for demonstrating. The major
portion of the small brood of flies, however, emerge during a more
favorable period, and for meteorological aid against these we can only
look to the dry, hot weather of July and August, though to the south
a portion of September might be included. But the straggling indi-
viduals, which, as I have proved, may originate from stubble, volunteer,
or even early sown grain, and which I myself can find no satisfactory
reason for not considering either the retarded or accelerated individuals
of either one or the other or both broods, have it in their power to repro-
duce a considerable progeny, which, though of themselves not a serious
17
menace to the crop, yet, added to that of the remainder of the brood,
greatly increase the probabilities of serious damage. For thesea long,
mild autumn, extending into December, would appear to be exceedingly
favorable, as it would enable their progeny to enter winter in a com-
paratively hardy state, and probably produce late appearing larve
the following year simultaneously with or but little in advance of the
progeny of the earlier appearing adults of spring. In other words, the
one winters aS advanced puparia or unemerged adults, the other as ad-
vanced larve or newly formed puparia. Itthus appears that while the
autumn usually has little effect on the major portion of the fall brood,
a mild October and November may emphasize the destructiveness of
the pest. So far as observed by me, a damp spring, even though a
cold one, is also favorable to the development of the insect, while dry,
hot summers are as unfavorable, and cause serious mortality to the
earlier stages of the fall brood of adults.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES.
These may be noticed as follows: Sowing at the proper time; burn-
ing the stubble; rotation of crops; sowing long, narrow plats in late
summer as baits; applying quick-acting fertilizers to seriously infested
fields in the fall in order to encourage attacked plants to throw up fresh
tillers, and to increase the vigor of these that they may make sufficient
growth to withstand the winter.
None of the measures are original with me, and in fact the most of
them are as old as the history of the species itself. There is certainly
much to be gained by the farmer in timing his sowing so as to avoid
the larger part of the fall injury, and if all farmers of a neighborhood
would sow about the same time even a serious outbreak would be so
diffused as to lessen its injury.
The burning of the stubble after harvest, when it is practical to do
so, is usually recommended by the majority of writers. The plan is
criticised by some authors on the plea that the parasites are also de-
stroyed, which, if allowed to continue, would themselves overcome the
fly. This idea has always appeared to me to be both theoretically and
practically wrong. If only the normal number of wheat plants allowed
by nature to spring up under a perfectly natural environment were pro-
duced, then the theory would be correct, because nature would then be
working out her plans from the beginning. As the facts exist hundreds
of thousands of plants are produced where nature intended but one.
Her domain is invaded and her law defied at the beginning. The Hes-
sian Fly is itself a parasite, the wheat plant being its host, and what we
term its parasites are practically only secondaries. In the Hessian Fly
nature has an efficient servant in controlling the wheat plant, and the
parasites of the former seem to be on guard to see that the duty is not
overdone. Now we outrage nature and expect that she will uphold us
by destroying these servants and permitting the indignity to go on.
78
With this state of affairs the American farmer has found that the Hes-
sian Fly will be overcome by its parasites only temporarily, and then at
the expense of a larger per cent of at least one crop. By burning the
stubble we destroy all of the pest and also numerous other enemies
which are to be found in the fields at the time. The present season,
however, many of the flaxseeds were so situated that it is doubtful if
enough heat would have reached them to have destroyed them.
In.a rotation of crop the adults are obliged to travel about in seareh
of the fields, and there is a greater chance of their being destroyed while
thus engaged. This, however, has its exceptions, as we observed at New
Castle, about 30 miles northwest of Richmond, Indiana, on November 17,
1888. The whole field had been sown in standing corn, a portion of it
about the 5th of September and the remainder considerably later. The
early sown portion had been seriously attacked and at least 85 per cent
destroyed; the later sown portion was only slightly injured, as was late
sown wheat generally in the community. Here at the Indiana Experi-
ment Station the plan of rotation is as follows: Corn one year, followed
by oats one year, wheat one year, clover and grass two years. The
wheat fields are never seriously affected by the ravages of the Hessian
Fly.
Sowing narrow strips about the fields, early in the fall, as decoys, was
long ago strongly advocated by Dr. Fitch, but the advice has been, so
far as I have observed, totally ignored by the farmer. While it is
hardly possible to thus entrap the major part of the fall brood of larve,
it is certainly possible to entice to these plats the stragglers and inter-
lopers, which we have shown to be capable of considerable injury. In
this way the farmer can, in a measure, continue the influences of sum-
mer and winter in sharply separating and defining the two broods. In
other words, while he can not eradicate the pest in this way, he can
weaken its power to commit serious injury. It is very doubtful if the
volunteer wheat, springing up after the wheat has been plowed, can be
used as decoys, and if allowed to stand until the date of sowing the
fields, these volunteer plants should, by all means, be plowed under
as deeply as practicable, or grazed off by pasturing. Simply killing
the plants will not do, as has been illustrated by the experience of Mr.
Oliphant, previously cited, and by the observations of Professor Forbes
in linois.* If volunteer wheat is allowed to stand at all,it should not
be for over a fortnight. The proper time for sowing these decoys will
probably vary with the latitude. For northern Indiana they should be
sown during the latter part of August, and in the southern part of the
State not later than the first week in September. To the north and
south of this I have, as previously stated, no definite information as
to the date of appearance of the fall brood of flies, and hence can not
undertake to settle the date of sowing. These decoys should not be
permitted to stand over four weeks at the farthest, and should be plowed
* Bulletin 3, State Ent., Tll., p. 48, 1887.
79
very soon after the crop is sown, turning the infested plants under and
thoroughly covering them. Simple cultivation, whereby the plants
are only killed, would probably only destroy a portion of the insects,
the full-grown larve very likely going through the remainder of their
transformations.
The application of fertilizers is, I believe, here in this State confined
to the poorer soils, and there more for its general effect on the crops
than as against the effects of insects. The idea in late sowing is to
retard the plants so that they do not appear until after the greater part
of the fall brood of flies have appeared and died, then to overcome
the effect of this delay by aiding the plants to make the greatest possi-
ble growth before winter closes in, which will the better enable them to
withstand its rigors. In this direction, it would seem that the applica-
tion of proper commercial fertilizers would pay by the effect upon the
growing plants, even though the land itself was not in actual want of
such treatment. The application to a field which has previously been
seriously damaged, with a view of encouraging the throwing out of
fresh tillers, is for practically the same purpose; and if thereis a tend-
ency to throw out the later shoots freely, if not too late in the season,
many may be enabled to secure sufficient vigor to sustain them until
spring. Whether it would be more profitable to plow and resow than
to try to secure acrop from the infested field by the aid of fertilizers
is, of course, a question which each farmer must decide for himself in
accordance with the time of year and extent of injury already done.
These measures are all of them practical and entail little if any
unusual expense. In fact, good farming presupposes that the most of
them will be carried out as among the essential elements of the business.
Where clover is to follow wheat it of course precludes the burning of
stubble or the destruction of volunteer plants, but it necessitates the
rotation of crop, and decoys can be sown and the seeding delayed. Te
is hardly possible for a farmer to become so situated that he can not
carry out some of these measures, and if this were done generally, and
every year, the Hessian fly would, in all probability, become of so little
importance that it would cease to enter seriously into the problem of
successful wheat growing.
Abbot’s white pine worm, 60.
Acer saccharinum, 10.
Agallia siccifolia on beet, 16.
Agrotis, 46.
spp. injuring beets, 14.
Alfalfa crops injured by grasshoppers and army
worm, 44.
Allygus sp., on beet, 17.
Alnus, 42.
Aloes as remedy for scale insects, 36.
Amarantus, 16,17.
Ambrosia, 14.
trifida, 54.
Amphipyra pyamidoides, 55.
Anisota rubicunda, 9.
Aonidia aurantii, 20.
Aphides found on beet, 17.
Aphidide, prevalence of, in Missouri, 48.
Aphidius, 48.
Aphis ambrosize, 54,
atriplicis, 17.
brassice, 54.
chrysanthemi?, 54.
cucumeris, 17.
mali, 54.
prunifolii, 54.
Apion sp. on beet, 16.
Apple leaf skeletonizer, 59,
Microlepidoptera injurious to, 51.
Arabis, 47.
Army worm damaging beets, 14.
attacking alfalfa crops, 44.
Arphia sordida, 59.
Arsenites of ammonia, experiments with, 55, 61.
Aspidiotus aurantii, 19, 26, 29.
citrinus, 29, 36.
perniciosus, 26, 27, 28.
Athysanus (? sp.) on beet, 17.
Atriplex, 13, 15.
Australian lady-bird, 19.
Beetles injuring beet leaves, list of, 14.
beet roots, list of, 17.
Beet insects, list of, 13.
remedies against, 18.
Black chrysanthemum aphis, 54.
scab, 26, 28.
Blissus leucopterus on beet, 16,
Blister beetles on beets, 15.
Boiis pesticata, 14.
Brown scale, 26,
Bruner, Lawrence, report by, 9.
25910—Bull. 23--—6
INDEX.
Bugs on beet, 16.
Caceecia fervidana, 50.
Cecilius aurantiacus, 27.
California insects, notes on, 19, 37.
Caloptenus devastator, 44,
Camnula pellucida, 44.
Cankerworms, 46.
Cantharis nuttalli destructive to beets, 15.
Ceanothus, 42, 43.
Centrinus penicillus on beet, 16.
perscitus on beet, 16.
Cercocarpus, 43.
Cereal crops, report on insects affecting, 63.
Chetocnema denticulata, 15.
puliearia, 47.
Chalcid parasites of Clisiocampa, 43.
Characlea angulata, 55.
Chenopodium, 14, 15, 16, 17.
Cherry slug, 60.
Chinch bug, 16, 46.
Chrysanthemum Aphis, 64.
Chrysopa, 48.
Cidaria diversilineata, 55.
Citrus trees destroyed by red scale, 19.
Clisiecampa californica, 43.
constricta, 42, 43.
erosa, 42.
thoracica, 42.
parasites of, 43.
Codling moth, 9,
Colaspis brunnea on beets, 15.
Coleoptera attacking beet leaves, 14.
beet roots, 17.
Colorado potato-beetle on beet, 16.
Conotrachelus, 47.
Copidryas gloveri, 14.
Coquillett, D. W., report by, 19.
Corn ear-worm, 9.
flea-beetle, 47.
root-worm, 9, 60.
Cottony cushion scale, 19.
Crambus exsiccatus, 58.
Crategus, 42.
| Cryptolechia nubeculosa, 50.
schlegerella, 50.
Cut-worms destructive to beets, 14.
Cydonia, 45.
Darapsa myron, 55,
Datana angusii, 49.
ministra, 49, 50, 5, 60, 62,
Corrosive sublimate as remedy for scale insects, 34.
82
Deilephila lineata feeding on beet leaves, 14.
Deltocephalus debilis, 58.
inimicus, 58.
sayi, 58.
melsheimeri, 58.
Desmia maculalis, 55.
Devastating locust, 44. :
Devereaux, W.L., letter, 74.
Diabrotica, 55.
longicornis, 9, 60.
12-punctata, 14, 60.
vittatu, 60.
Disonycha cervicalis, 15,
crenicollis, 15.
triangularis, 14.
xanthomelena, 15,
Dissosteira carolina, 14, 59.
Doryphora 10-lineata, 16, 55.
Dried Crambus, 58.
Echinocystis lobata, 16.
Emblethis arenarius, 16.
Empretia stimulea, 49, 55.
Epicwrus imbricatus attacking beet, 15.
Epicauta cinerea, 15.
cinerea var. marginata, 15.
maculata, 15.
pennsylvanica, 15.
Epitrix cucumeris, 15.
Eragrostis major, 16.
Erythroneura sp. on beet, 17.
Euclea querceti, 48, 49.
Eurycreon rantalis destructive to beets, 14.
Euthoctha galeator on beet, 16.
Experiments for scale insects, 32.
False chinch bug on beet, 16.
Flea beetles, 15, 47.
Fluted scale insect, 19.
Forsythia, 45.
Fumigation for red scale, 20.
Garden web-worm injuring beets, 14.
Gas treatment for red scale, 20.
Gelechia intermediella? description of larva and |
imago, 53.
roseosuffusella, 54.
rubensella, 54.
Geocoris bullatus on beet, 16.
Glue as remedy for scale insects, 35.
Gortyna nitela, 46.
Grain Aphis, 47.
Grasshoppers, 10, 44.
Green-striped maple worm, 10.
Hadena, 46,
Handmaid moth, 60, 62.
Helianthus, 14.
Heliothis armigera, 9, 46, 55.
Hemiptera attacking beet, 16, 17.
Hessian fly, numberand development of broods, 63.
effect of larve on plants, 73.
effect of weather on development of
fall brood, 76.
preventive measures against, 77.
Heteroptera attacking beet, 16.
Hibiscus militaris, 15,
Homoptera attacking beet, 16.
Hydrocyanic acid gas as remedy for red scale, 19,20.
Hy phantria cunea, 50.
Icerya purchasi, 19.
Ichneumonid parasites on Clisiocampa, 43.
Ichthyura inclusa on willows, 50.
Indiana, report of insects of, 63.
Insecticides, experiments with, 54.
Insects injurious in California, 19, 37.
Indiana, 63,
Iowa, 57.
Missouri, 45,
Nebraska, 9.
to beets, list of, 13.
Iowa, injurious insects of, 57.
Jasside in grass, 58.
Jassus inimicus, 58.
June bugs attacking beets, 17.
Koebele, Albert, report by, 37.
Lachnosterna fusca attacking beet roots, 17.
Lagoa crispata, 49.
Leaf-hoppers attacking beet, 16, 17.
in grass, 58.
Lecanium hesperidum, 26.
olez, 26, 28, 29, 31.
Lepidium, 47,
Lepidoptera injurious to apple, 51.
beet, 13.
Leucania unipuncta damaging beets, 14.
Liburnia intertexta on beet, 17.
Ligyrus gibbosus destructive to sugar beet, 17.
Limacodes larve, 48.
scapha, 49,
Lime wash for scale insects, 32.
Locusts, 10.
Lophophanes inornatus, 44.
Lophyrns abbotii, 60.
Lygus pratensis on beet, 16.
Mamestra picta attacking beets, 13.
trifolii, attacking beets, i4.
Maple, soft, 9.
worm, 10.
Melanoplus atlanis, 14.
bivittatus, 14.
differentialis, 14, 59.
femur-rubrum, 14, 59.
spretus, 14.
Mercuric chloride as remedy for scale insects, 34.
Microlepidoptera injurious to apple, 51.
Missouri, injurious insects of, 45.
Montilia, 17.
Murtfeldt, Mary E., report by, 45.
Myzus persica, 54.
Nicholson, H. H., letter, 12.
Nebraska, injurious insects of, 9.
Nemobius vittatus, 59.
Nysius angustatus on beet, 16,
Opuntia engelmanni, 21.
Orgyia leucostigma on sycamore, 50.
Orthoptera injurious to beets, list of, 14.
Osborn, Herbert, report by, 57.
Papilis turnus, 59.
Parasa chloris, 48.
Pempelia hammondii, 59.
Penthina chionosema, description of larva and
imago, 51.
Pezotettix olivaceus, 14.
Pieris rape, 55.
Piesma cinerea on beet, 16,
_——
83
Pine worm, 60.
Phobetron pithecium, 49,
Phyllotreta sinuata, 47.
vittata, 47.
Phylloxera, experiments with resin compounds
on, 37.
Plant lice, 47.
Plochionus timidus, 50.
Plum curculio, 47.
Plusia brassicz attacking beets, 14.
Potato stalk weevil, 60.
Proteopteryx spoliana, description of larva and
adult, 52.
Psychomorpha epimenis, 55.
Psylliodes convexior on leaves of beets, 15.
Purshia tridentata, 42.
Purslane bug, 16.
Quercus agrifolia, 42.
Red scale destructive to citrus trees, 19.
gas treatment for, 20.
Red spider, 26.
Remedies against beet insects, 18.
Resin compounds on phylloxera, 37.
wash for San José scale, 27.
Rhamuous californica, 43.
Rhus copalina, 49,
glabra, 49.
Saddle-back caterpillar, 49,
San José scale, 26.
resin wash for, 27.
Salt and lime wash, 32.
and sulphur wash, 32.
wash for scale insects, 31.
Saturnia io, 49.
Scale insects, methods for destroying, 19.
Schizoneura lanigera, 26, 54.
Selandria cerasi, 60,
rose, 55.
Silpha opaca, occurrence in beet fields, 17,
Silver-top in grass, 58.
Siphonophora avene, 47, 54.
cratzgi, 54.
Siphonophora pisi, 17.
rose, 56.
rudbeckiz, 54.
Snout-beetles attacking beet, 15, 16.
Sodworm, 58.
Solanum nigrum, 15.
Spharagemon equale feeding on sugar-beet, 14.
Sphinx quinque-maculata, 55.
Spilosoma isabella injuring beet leaves, 13.
virginica injuring beet leaves, 13.
Steganoptycha sp., description of larva, 52.
description of imago, 53.
salicicolana, 53.
Stinging larve, 48,
Striped flea-beetles, 47.
Sugar beet culture, suggestions in regard to, 11.
insects, 11.
Sulphur wash for scaie insects, 32.
Systena frontalis, 15.
teniata var. blanda, 15.
Tachina flies parasitic on clisiocampa, 43.
Teniocampa, 43.
Tetranychus telarius, 26.
Tomonotus sulphureus, 59.
Trapezonotus nebulosus, 16.
Trichobaris trinotatus, 60.
Trimerotropis latifasciata, 14.
Trioxys, 48.
Turf web-worm, 58. :
Turnus butterfly, 59.
Vedalia cardinalis, 19.
Washes for scale insects, 27, 30, 31, 34.
experiments with, 31.
Webster, F. M., report by, 63.
White grubs attacking beet roots, 17,
pine worm, 60.
Wickson, E. J., letter, 75.
Wire-worms on beets, 17.
Wisteria, 49.
Woolly Aphis, 26.
X. O. dust, experiments with, 54,
Yellow scale, 29.
©
ee ean en ergs
Ss. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 24.
CM cola 2)
BOLL WORM OF COTTON.
A
REPORE OF PROGRESS
IN A
SUPPLEMENTARY INVESTIGATION OF THIS: INSECT.
MADE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOLOGIST
BY
Be Wo MALLY,
(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
WASHINGTON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
Lig Quit,
Pos. DE PARIMENT OF ARERICULTURE:
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY.
BULLETIN No. 24.
Gale cle
mol \WOKM OF COTrOmN
REPORE OF PROGRESS
SUPPLEMENTARY INVESTIGATION OF THIS INSECT.
MADE UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE ENTOMOL@G
BY
FS We NEAT EY
(PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE.)
Wars DONG ON:
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
IS: Ore.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Page.
Metter ofssubmittal 7... css socces esas sae .e 22 cles ene ee sranecnsesnaee tees 3
nbroduchione.=-- occ oes oe eee ee ee eee te ieee 5
WEtteLOLbransmibtal eects. ees eee el eee et See 7
They SoOlily ROW, Oli CO NIN Be = Stee soe seouen ides qaascdiosge Hogsuadssce Sacore 9
IDS MECHIN EIGN) = 5 Bh b5 cage coeScdicado = onacchiaso deopacscosoesasqa te déosec $)
Food plants obher than: Cotton oe sexs ao ere cm ner ws alee ae ime ae ol 12
@haractersandtranstormatione -- #22 == oo once ono eer eee eee eee 14
TUN GUO? Sodeoe coSAro cncaec es Aoebedba Yok pel Sid ela larS wis ote cade etole sire hemes 14
Io l@evia: cee cos. ce soda Se ee ee aes A Sot eee eee eee ee 14
TD DUE see ooe nate cAn seer oo se ee pode Somoce cee onnode tmnbod code sec5 3 20
Mie mae: 245) eo Sees 5 Se Por Go dla. cel a See ete ee sa eee 22
Nimbenot Droodseand hibe rn atiOne sete ce jem sise ea eter ete ee 25
INaburalvenGmies «22s -iccem ha cccle cine kisemein= Seer so cteh epee inten. eta eee 27
Vertebrates: Butcher Bird; Crows; Quails.
Invertebrates: Podisus spinosus ; Leptoierna; Hrax lateralis; Ants
LTrichogramma pretiosa ; Hexaplasta zigzag ; Tachina; Huplectrus
comstochii.
Insect ravages easily mistaken for those of the boll worm..............-. 28
Buphonimimnelanchowed, ae ese ce cptwtese = ee eae ae eee eee eee 29
FAKE ADO, RADUT DT 55 556 SaSOG0 BOON SO sob hou Paco hose 4456 to5sbos660 sao tCe 29
CUTER ETE CROC QIN) <eacts sooGes GaaecHSObbSs sodas Epoacmoodco se sed cesses 30
Prodenia: linedtell@sexa. ssa shh e = sisaists selects = sa =e oan eee nee ee 30
Noctuid:(undetermined):. .. 3.5.22 Ascot eeclc. ose ea os leew een eee eee 30
Piantwieel (Apis gossypii and Aptis S))s) aaireerent sei ertante literate ees 30
JG) SN KO ees < /O eeIEeg eIE STD OCUOROTOOS DOOGO ST ONOO Sra s 30
LO Sy SOU Rie ae eee Sa OS er Rge § MeNn Eee an Saco ie rn Geto OER CDO Sons SOCK « 31
Topping of,cotton androtation of crops:----.7. 5-2. ---—- 52. ssn) sence Sil
Ba pIOW ING = Ap ees ie ees oe re ia ain lanes Meat elere et senate erate ates 31
Corn, 2s protection ‘torcottons. = 5... sac-o4 eae = eae) See ee eee 32
Mightsforaitracting themoths: 25. osc sees sees ae anee eee eeeees 33
IPOISONEC: SWEOUS - 2 sss. she sale os oo cle cise ncioaie els = ie si vaeie mae eee 38
Pyrethrumicee - 2 secs ascent e oe eee eee ce ee adios acts ae sete ee ee 39
Experiments with dry powder.--.5-.-.- -ss--+ == -- ee as eae eee 39
Wecoctions of Pyrethrumicscs sos 0a se ek oe See ene 42
Other-vegetable insecticides. -=- tee ees see eee eee ee eee dt
Meteorolocical considerations: 2-22 es ese eee eee eee eee eons 45
Insect diseases..-- 225 ..n\. i celic antec ccalelo so euccinrelere oieiec Sal-elaene clotete me tceetee haretee 48
9
~
LETTER OF SUBMITTAL.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE,
DIVISION OF ENTOMOLOGY,
Washington, D. C., February 27, 1891.
Sir: I have the honor to submit for publication Bulletin No. 24 of
this Division. It consists of a preliminary report upon the special in-
vestigation of the Cotton Boll worm (Heliothis armigera Hiibn.) which
was authorized by Congress in the bill making appropriations for the use
of the Department for the fiscal year 1890-91.
Respectfully,
C. V. RILEY.
Entomologist.
Hon. J. M. Rusk,
Secretary of Agriculture.
INTRODUCTION.
The present bulletin consists of a report made by Mr. I’. W. Mally
upon the progress of the special investigation of the Cotton Boll-worm
which has been carried on under the Division since the appropriation
became available, July 1, 1890. Mr. Mally has had charge of the minor
details of the investigation, and has been constantly in the field since
last July. He also summarizes the results obtained by Messrs. Me-
Neill and Booth. The Boll Worm was treated at some length in the
Fourth Report of the U. 8. Entomological Commission, and the chief
object of the present investigation was to conduct further experiments
with remedies, as well as to verify the value of those already employed.
A thorough series of experiments has been planned with the diseases
of Heliothis and allied insects, in the hope of being able to practically
utilize them. Incidentally I have desired to ascertain new facts, if
possible, and to verify or disprove what has been previously written in
connection with the life history and habits of the species.
The observers have all been hampered in their work by the unexpected
lack of material. The funds were not available until the season was
three-fourths spent. The observations so far made will, therefore, have
to be supplemented the coming spring and summer. It transpires that
the ravages of the Boll Worm have been overestimated, and that while
from 20 to 30 per cent cf the bolls are damaged in an average season in
Mississippi, only about one-third of this damage is done by this inseet.
Several other species which do work somewhat similar to that of the
Boll Worm are treated in this report. Some new food-plants have been
found, and a careful study has been made of the habits and life history
which are here treated with more care and detail than has heretofore
been given to the subject. Twonew parasites have been discovered, and
observations have been made which show that the egg parasite (Trich-
ogramma pretiosa Riley) is an extremely important factor in the economy
of this insect, as it is, also, in that of the Cotton Worm (Aletia xylina
Say), and the Grass Worm or Fall Army Worm (Laphygma frugiperda
Smith & Abbott). A careful count shows that 84 per cent. of the eggs
were destroyed by this useful parasite. All of the old remedies have
been once more tested, and the use of corn as a trap crop is again shown
to be one of the most satisfactory means of protecting the cotton crop.
The old subjects of attracting the moths to lights and poisoned sweets
have once more been carefully considered, and my former conclusions
have been confirmed, that there is little to be hoped for from either of
these methods. The pyrethrum experiments, from which I had much
5
6
hope, have not proved very favorable, while experiments with a large
Series of other vegetable insecticides have given no practical results
as yet.
The experiments with contagious diseases can not be reported upon
in any detail at the present time; but a large number of cultures of
several diseases of the Imported Cabbage Worm, the Bronzy Cutworm
and of two other Noctuids have been secured and carried through the
winter. What may prove to be a specific disease of the Boll Worm
has also been discovered, and cultures have been obtained. 1t results
from the few experiments made that the Boll Worm is probably sus-
ceptible to the Cabbage Worm disease, but positive statements can
not be made until these experiments are confirmed by those of another
season. <A bacteriological laboratory has been established at Shreve-
port, Louisiana, and has been well fitted out with the necessary
apparatus, so that work in this direction the coming season will not
be hampered, except in the case of an unexpected paucity of Boll
Worms.
Ja, Vint abu
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL.
SHREVEPORT, LOUISIANA, February 19, 1891.
Srr: In compliance with your request | have made out a report of
progress of an investigation of the History and Habits of the Boll Worm
(Heliothis armigera Hiibner), carried on under your instructions since
July, 1890, and submit the same herewith. The treatment of the various
subjects is not at all in detail and has only been made complete enough
to give an adequate conception of what has been done, the present
status of the investigation, and what remains to be accomplished in
the future.
Very respectfully yours,
EF. W. MALLY,
Assistant Entomologist.
Drs Uy VV. RILEY;
United States Entomologist.
1
THE BOLL WORM OF COTTON.
DESTRUCTIVENESS.
The damage to corn by the Boll Worm is difficult to estimate, owing
to the nature of the attack. Its ravages in the “ bud” of the young
plants and later in the ends of the ears taken collectively no doubt are
considerable, though no definite per cent can be given. Tomatoes,
eucumbers, and melons also suffer more or less seriously from its rav-
ages. It is the attack upon cotton which is considered most serious
and supposed to be of great proportions. To determine the amount of
damage to cotton in the regions visited the past season the following
studies were made. The first was made August 14, in a large field of
upland cotton surrounded by woods. ‘Two rows were taken at random
in the field; the first was rank high cotton, the second a smaller growth.
About 10 feet of each row were marked off and all the bolls on the
plants in each counted. (See Table I.)
/
| 1 Loss
{ | Loss by lag
tow. | Good bolls.) ;, , by other | Total. |
| Boll Worm. Rana | bea
Lhe Be 290 | 2 95 | 389 |
ly sclae
|
Maecocie. a5 270 1 43
The next study was made September 16, in a small field of rank
bottom-land cotton. The first five plants were taken at random, the
next fifteen successively in one row. (See Table II).
TABLE IT.
Plant Good bolls Loss by wae Total
a . | 8. ee | I J cul.
Boll Worm. anaes
We ate S hereto 40 a 5 52
Demise sare iays 21 2 13 36
SVG Sse 4 2 0 6
es 30 3 26 53
ie 34 10 34 78
Giaccone 19 11 20 50
Y hm eee al 18 2 0 20
oi ae 8 35 9 15 59
Sse cree 17 9 12 | 3
WOES sees 70 6 9 85
1p ee eee nse 33 1 1 41
Nee ae 4 9 5d
WSiewt cee 2 49 0 4 53
1 F eee 3 0 0 i
ieaeensee 10 0 0 10
1G coe. 33 | 2 2 37
Ips ee ae 25 , 11 38
1 pepsin feel 2 24 98
it eee tf 0 3 20
PRS eeresee i 0 0 | i
Total 579 78 182 829
9
10
September 17, a similar study of twenty-one successive plants was
made in another portion of the same field. (See Table III).
TABLE III.
| l
x Loss by |
Plants. Worms. | Good polls.| plone other hore
| : ly causes,
exe 1 | 33 4 13 50
ARE Pe 1 23 1 ] 25
Soon 2 GO 3 2 | 65
Lee fe 0 30\:"| 3 I yt 34
Dcletermrs(a= 2 41 3 8 52
62532525 0 65 3 0 68
aterarai oie L 11 1L 4 16
Beattie 0 29 1 1 31
| ren eee 0 53 3 1 57
1K (ae See 2 53 5 1 59
ot ene ss 1 24 5 14 43
Mp ae ne 0 63 6 25 94
es - 0 24 0 5 29
A: Ns rane pane 0 19 8 By 30
a 0 23 9 12 44
LDS een 3 88 13 20 131
ics ae 0 22 4 5 31
1 oe er 0 36 0 2 38
1 Bee 0 14 0 0 14
2 eee 0 20 0 11 3h
yA Lea eae 0 49 6 39 94
Total 13 | 780 78 178 1, 036
Table I should not be included in the table of percentages, since its
data were obtained early in the season, before the Boll Worm had really
become well established in cotton. Omitting table I we have the fol-
lowing table:
TABLE IV.
Percentages from Tables II and ITT.
Loss mm
Tahla ‘ Loss by r . Total |
Table. | Good bolls. ‘Boll ge ably Teel
| Per cent. | Per cent. | Percent. | Percent.
|e CR | 690 | 092. | 218} = 310
[SL oe Sage Ae, | 753 | 075 | TD ga tee
Average - 71215 0835 «195 . 2785 |
The four preceding studies were nade by a count of what was actu-
ally found on the plants at the time of observation. September 18 only
bolls and forms which had fallen were collected and examined. The
result is given below :
Number bored ‘by Boll Worm). ..-.si.-ceeeeateis- oc cc oem eatoeeptece meee nena 167
Number’shed from.other :canses <2222< Gace ee eee oases oe cee eee eee eee eee 362
Total2 sec sce Se oe ela oc ee ee Ce oe 529
Taking the average of the total loss found in the same field on the
two preceding days, and tabulated as Tables IT and III, and again in
Table IV, these 529 bolls may be considered as equivalent to the count-
ula
ing of 1,900 bolls by the method of Tables If and IIL.
therefore be given as below:
This study may
TABLE V.
Number. | Per cent. |
Goodsbollsteeees oa eee ho | 1, 371 722 |
| Loss by Boll Worm....... 167 | 088
| Loss by other causes .-....-..-..!/2.. 362 | . 190
| 1,900
Averaging this result with that of Table LV we have the table given
below as the result:
TABLE VI.
Data, | Gooa bolls |, Loss by _| vaeen | Total
| Boll Worm. | GAaeS. | loss.
|
| }
Per cent. Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent |
Table V SPA) . 08385 195 . 2785
Study V..--- . 722 0BBee | 290). TERBO
sense 72175 | . 08575 -1925 | .27825
} mee Beet BRN. aati hs
The above calculations certainly give the
3011 Worm as much eredit
as it deserves, and for the following reasons: The observations were
made after the cotton had been “laid by ” late in July, therefore the
fallen bolls collected from the ground in September covered what had
fallen during August and September. This is the period of greatest
damage to the cotton. No cornfields near by to iessen and detract from
the egg deposition on cotton. This in addition to the consideration of
the injured fruit actually on the plants but which was likely to shed,
certainly does not make the results arrived at much below the entire
damage done during that period.
Irom the results given above and from subsequent observation it is
evident that bottom-land cotton 1s worse infested than the ‘ hill-coun-
try” cotton. Further, even in the same field, as is shown by the record
of plants 5 and 10 of Table If and plants 12, 16, and 21 of Table III
large, rank, leafy cotton plants, bearing a great number of forms and
bolls, are subject to much more serious attack.
The number of forms and bolls which one worm may destroy during
its period of existence can only be approximated. From the rate of
feeding during favorable conditions and when the larval state is about
15 days the number eaten into may range from ten totwenty. During
the longer periods of larval existence caused by unfavorable conditions,
the worms are inclined to move about more and perhaps injure more in-
dividual fruits, though the absolute amount eaten is not much greater.
What the extent of injury due to Boll Worm over the entire State of
Mississippi was the past year will be seen from the closing weather
and crop report of Prof. k. B. Fulton, observer, U. S. Signal Service,
12
University, Mississippi, from which is quoted the following: “In the
southern part of the State reports show that on account of injury by
Boll Worms and shedding, due to wet weather, the cotton crop will
be short from 30 to 40 per cent. of last year’s yield. * * * In the
northern section the Boll Worm did no material damage.” It may fur-
ther be added that upon application to Mr. George E. Hunt, chief sig-
nal officer U.S. Signal Service, New Orleans, Louisiana, for weather
crop bulletins and the names of observers who had reported much
damage to cotton by Boll Worm last season, he replied that no material
Fig. 1. Heliothis armigera; full-grown larva eating into a to-
mato—nat. size (after Riley).
damage was done from that source and none had been reported by any
of the volunteer or other observers. From this information as also the
facts shown by the preceding tables it is quite evident that the depre-
dations upon cotton by Boll Worms have been greatly overestimated.
If the statements of planters living in the regions where observations
were made are accepted, the Boll Worm was fully as numerous if not
more so than in previous years. Nearly all agreed that the damage was
fully up to the average, others thought it above the normal, but none
estimated it as being lower than usual. These statements together
with the almost daily reports obtained from interviews that *‘ one-fourth
or one-third of the crop was being ruined” (?) led to above careful stud-
ies. The results simply show that on the whole the planters fail to dis-
tinguish the Boll Worm ravages from those of other insects, from phys-
iological phenomena of the cotton plant, and lastly, from some of the
fungoid diseases. In order to assist the planters in this matter a few
observations have been added at the close on “ Other insect ravages
easily confused with those of the Boll Worm.”
FOOD PLANTS OTHER THAN COTTON.
Corn.—The habits of the Boll Worm when feeding on corn have been
so fully presented in the Fourth Report U.S. Entomological Commis-
sion, pp. 359-361, that only such observations will be given as verify
13
important points or add to our knowledge of the species. The manner
of attacking the ears of corn and the semi-solid excrement of the worm
which is left behind along its path into the ear, paves the way and pro-
vides a fertile soil for the germination and subsequent growth of all
kinds of molds. The additional decay resulting in this way, aided by
the ravages of Dipterous and other larve which revel in such matter,
perhaps fully equals the actual damage done directly by the worm. In
large fields of corn not often more than one large worm is found iva sin-
gle ear, but when the fields are small, and especially when surrounded
by cotton fields, there are often three or four nearly grown worms in a
single ear, and perhaps as many more newly hatched ones. This is a
direct result of the preference of the moth for the corn when the lat-
ter is in close proximity to cotton fields and of suitable age. When the
field is small the female often passes through it several times during a
single flight, depositing eggs as she does so. Inthis way I have often
observed the same female deposit eggs three times on the silks of
an ear of corn during a single visit. This of course is not the normal
method of deposition, and occurs only under the circumstances men-
tioned. If it were so the numbers of worms would be greatly reduced
through the agency of their cannibalistic habits, to be discussed here-
after in considering the history of the worms. Other females visiting
the field may also deposit on the same ears of corn, and soon. Asa
result of this as high as fifteen to twenty-five eggs have been found on
the silk of a single ear of corn, and in addition as many more on the
husks and leaves.
In regions where corn is cultivated extensively a second crop is
planted late in July to produce a fodder crop by the end of the season.
These fields are invariably badly infested. When these are near cot-
ton fields they afford a great protection to that crop.
Except on cotton, hereafter considered, no observations of special in-
terest were made on any of the other well-known food plants, though it
was noted that the tomato crop suffered severely from Boll Worm dep-
redations.
Other Plants.—As additional food plants of economic importance
which are attacked by Boll Worm are to be mentioned the muskmelon,
watermelon, and cucumber. The cucumber is attacked usually by eat-
ing a hole near the base from below up into the center and then tunnel-
ing the length of it to the anterior end. The melons are usually bored
from the under side near the base, buf occasionally at almost any other
point. The female was seen depositing on the following weeds: Helen-
ium tenuifolium, Amarantus retroflexus, A. spinosus, probably KHrigeron
canadense, and one undetermined species of Panicum.
It was evident, however, that the young worms did not relish any of
the above weeds as food plants and left soon after hatching. This was
further verified by taking some branches of the plants just named to
the laboratory and placing newly hatched worms upon them. They
14
fed sparingly upon the small flowers and tender stems, but soon left
the branches and could not be induced to remain long. The female
shows no inclination whatever to deposit her eggs upon the last-named
host-plants except as they may be found in corn fields or near by
From here the young worms can easily migrate to the corn plants near
at hand, and from observations already cited it is quite probable that
they do so. These last observations have, furthermore, led me to sus-
pect that the female may occasionally deposit upon all weeds or other
plants indiscriminately growing in a corn field and suitable for this
purpose.
CHARACTERS AND TRANSPORMATIONS.
THE EGG.
The egg is oval, the greatest diameter being very near the base. It
tapers but little from the point of greatest diameter to the base, but
slants much more towards the apex. The vertical diameter averages
0.375 millimetres, the horizontal and greatest diameter 0.5 millimetres.
The sculpture of the eggs consists of polar ribs with cross bars, giving
them a checkered-appearing surface. When first deposited the egg
appears nearly a pure white, but soon turns yellowish as the growth of
the embryo begins, and deepens as the latter develops. After about
25 or 30 hours that part of the embryo at the apex of the egg is notice-
ably darker, and between it and the center of the egg a reddish or brown-
ish band is formed. ‘The latter so far as can be seen extends only part
way round the egg.
This band is later absorbed into the body of the worm and the
darker spot at the apex is found to be the head of the developing larva.
At this stage the body of bhe worm can be quite definitely seen through
the eggshell.
The duration of theegg state varies somewhat, as will be seen hereafter,
with the meteorological conditions prevailing at and immediately fol-
lowing the time of deposition. One lot of eggs deposited in confine-
ment at night and followed by two very hot days began hatching within
45 hours. But of a number of lots of eggs deposited in confinement
from time to time, the duration of the egg state was usually from 24 to
3 or 34 days. This may be considered about the normal duration of the
egg state. Several lots, however, which had been deposited during un-
favorable weather did not hatch until after 4 days; ina few instances
a few hours over 5 days.
THE LARVA.
The newly hatched larve, before they have taken any food, average 1.54
millimetres in length, are sliohiny larger anteriorly, tapering gradually,
as is Shown by measurements of the diameters of a fame of worms at
the first, middle, and last segments, whose averages were 0.23, 0.20, and
15
0.14 millimetres, respectively. The general color of the body is white,
with a yellowish tinge; head, black; a black or brownish shield-shaped
spot on the dorsal surface of the first segment.
Soon after they begin feeding the larvee turn darker and before the
first molt are usually of a deep rose or brownish color. The piliferous
tubercles are not yet very prominent. The true legs at first are slightly
Fis. 2.—Heliothis armigera: a, egg from side; b, do. from
top—enlarged ; c, full-grown larva; d, earthen cell with con-
tained pupa; ¢, moth with wings spread; f, do. at rest—nat-
ural size (after Riley). t
dusky, but soon turn much darker, are hairy and provided with a small
bifid claw. At first the first pair of prolegs seem to be a little less
robust than the others, and hence may be slightly weaker. Obscure
dark lateral patches are found on the prolegs, which at this stage are
further provided with fine small hooks.
By the time of the first molt the worm has attained a length of 5.62
millimetres and is slightly larger in the middle.
After the first molt the larva is at first of a yellowish color, but again
turns darker rapidly when it begins feeding. The true prolegs become
much darker, and at their insertion next the body a small dusky spot,
both anteriorly and posteriorly, is found. The dark lateral patches on
the prolegs are also more distinct, each proleg being now provided with
nine small hooks.
By the time of the second molt the larva measures 7.75 millimetres
in length and is still a little wider in the middle. .
Soon after the second molt the worm measures 8.75 millimetres in
length. The most noticeable changes are, that the piliferous tubercles
are now much more prominent; that the very small tubercles found
thickly scattered all over the body first become quite discernable to
the naked eye.
16
With the three subsequent molts there are no marked changes except
in size and the distinctness in definition of the various colorings and
markings of the body of the larva.
The mature worm varies in length from 31 to 36 millimetres, with
diameters of about 4, 5, and 4 millimetres at anterior, middle, and pos-
terior regions, respectively. The head of the mature Boll Worm is never
darker than a light brown, or, in the darker colored worms, mahogany,
but may be paler according as the specimen is a lighter colored one.
The true legs are dusky or blackish, as also the spots on the prolegs.
The latter are now each provided with fifteen small hooks.
The color of the body of the mature worms varies from all gradations
of the darker or rose-colored specimens to those which are light-greenish
with a faint rose tint or entirely light-greenish. The darker colored
ones greatly predominate from about August on through the remainder
of the season. The markings of the worms which are most frequently
met with at this time are‘as follows :
Along the median line of the dorsal region is a brownish or black-
ish stripe containing inits center an interrupted white line. Next, the
subdorsal stripe, which is lighter colored, and along which is found the
first subdorsal row of piliferous tubercles. Below this is a subdorso-
lateral stripe, which is usually about the same color as the dorsal one.
The subdorso-lateral stripe is slightly wider at the center of each seg-
ment,and within its borders are found two more rowsof piliferous tuber-
cles. Next comes the lateral or stigmata stripe, which is usually pure
white. Along this stripe are found the spiracles and one row of pilif-
erous tubercles. Between the lateral stripe and the prolegs is a stripe,
which is usually of the same color as the ventral surface, which latter
is a uniform whitish. This sublateral stripe contains two rows of
smaller tubercles. In many of the darker rose tinted specimens this
stripe is often nearly a pure rose color, in which case the stigmatal
stripe is also more or less tinted. Throughout all the stripes except
the lateral and sublateral ones, and in these where they are colored
other than white, are found numerous interrupted, irregular, white lines
and spots. The stripes are all of a uniform width throughout, with the
single exception mentioned. In the lighter colored specimens none but
the dorsal and subdorso-lateral stripes can be distinguished at all, and
often only the dorsal one.
The first segment is provided dorsally with #, denser, calloused part
irregularly shield-shaped and whichis pale brown or black, according
as that is the general color of the worm. In the newly hatched worm,
however, it nearly always appears as a very distinct black patch. This
calloused portion has a distinct median groove dividing it into two
symmetrical halves, each of which bear similar markings as follows :
Four small pits in the form of a trapezoid, the posterior pair being
nearest together; from each of these pits extends afine short hair. In
the center and extending each side of the median line are two deep
bi
transverse parallel grooves. At the curved lateral regions of the shield
are found slight depressions, and again one at the posterior end of the
median line. The shield is further traversed by irregular lines or
wrinkles, and in addition contains short white interrupted lines and
spots much the same as those found in the stripes of the body. Dor-
sally the second and third segments each have a transverse row of four
piliferous tubercles. The fourth to tenth segments, inclusive, have each
four piliferous tubercles, slightly larger than those of the second and
third, and are arranged in the form of a trapezoid, the anterior pair be-
ing nearest together. On the eleventh segment the four tubercles are
arranged in the form of a square; on the twelfth the trapezoid is re-
versed, the posterior pair of tubercles being nearest together.
Laterally, the first segment is provided with a spiracle about which
are two piliferous tubercles. Below there are two smaller tubercles
which are usually contiguous and appear much like one tubercle from
which two bristles project. The second and third segments each have
two large piliferous tubercles, two slightly smaller ones and two still
smaller. The fourth to eleventh segments inclusive each bear three
tubercles arranged in triangular form about the spiracles with a fourth
smaller one below them. ‘The twelfth segment usually has two placed
contiguously, or nearly so. Ventrally the tubercles are all small. The
fourth segment bears six small tubercles arranged so as to form the are
of acirele. The fifth segment has two transverse rows of tubercles,
four in each, the ones in the anterior row being wider apart than those
in the posterior. The tenth, eleventh, and twelfth segments each bear
a transverse row of four tubercles. All the tubercles throughout have
projecting from them a short, stout hair, or bristle.
The growth of the larvee is somewhat slower during their earlier
stages than when half grown and approaching maturity.
When nearing maturity the molts occur at shorter intervals. The
intervals between molts become longer later in the season or with cold
and unfavorable weather. Thus in August the first molt occurred on
the fifth day after hatching, the second on the tenth, the third on the
fourteenth, and the fourth on pupation, seven days later. September
25 some eggs began hatching; the first molts occurred on the seventh
and eighth days thereafter, the second on the fifteenth and sixteenth
days; at this time the particular worms under observation made their
escape and the interval of subsequent molts could not be recorded.
The length of the larval state is longer later in the season. Thus at
Shreveport, Louisiana, Dr. A. Rk, Booth reports that during August a
worm matured and was preparing to pupate after having fed 15 days;
another after 18 days. At Holly Springs, Mississippi, for the same
month worms matured within 15 to 20 days after hatching. For Sep-
tember worms hatched about the first of the month, matured in from
21 to 26 days, while larvie hatched September 25 escaped after 18 days
days and had only just inolted the second time.
23024—No. 24 2
18
The first food of the worm is the eggshell from which it has just
issued. No sooner is the young larva fully out of its shell than it crawls
away once or twice its length, turns around, and eats the shell either
entirely or but a portion of it. This done it crawls about a short time
until it finds a spot suited to its taste, usually first spreading a few
threads of a frail web. Under this the worm feeds on the epidermis of
whatever surface it may have selected. Often they crawl but a short
distance, drop themselves down by a slender thread until another sur-
face is struck, when they crawl away as before and begin feeding.
Before the first molt the larvae, feed principally outside of the young
forms and squares on whatever surface they may be when hatched.
At about the time of the first molts, or soon thereafter, they begin seek-
ing out the forms, blossoms, and squares and begin their destructive
work of boring into them. It must be stated, however, that from the
first a few may be found to go directly to a small form or square and
either boring through the involucre and thence into the blossom or
fruit, or else first crawling between theinvolucre and fruit and then
boring into the latter. Often, too, they at first simply hide behind the
involucre, eating the epidermis from the inside and boring into the fruit
later. Preferring the tender growing portions of the branches, the
younger worms after finding them secrete themselves in the opening
clusters of leaf and flower buds and begin boring.
Their first feedings upon the leaves, whether on the upper or lower
surface, are principally confined to the epidermis. About the time of
the first molt they begin to eat small holes through the leaves. ‘This
is not continued long, however, as at this time the worms begin their
search for the forms and squares. During the younger period the worms
feed most on the reprodutive organs of young forms or such as are
nearly grown and opening. Some time later, after about the second molt,
they begin boring more plentifully into the larger bolls. The older
worms, while feeding principally in larger bolls, do not confine them-
selves to them and are often found devouring a form or opening blos-
soms. Due to their choice of food (speaking ouly of the bulk) the
younger worms are found mostly on the younger tender-growing por-
tions of the cotton plant, and the more nearly grown ones on the more
mature portions. For a change the full-grown worm sometimes feeds
on a leaf or eats through the green stem of a newly formed branch.
Stems which were .25-.50 inch in diameter and having above them a
number of forms have been observed to be eaten nearly through by
them. A day or two after the branch would be found wilted or nearly
broken off.
The habits of the worm, as to the manner in which a boll is entered
and the extent to which it feeds upon the same after it has entered, are
also rather variable. The worm may pass in behind the involucre and
bore into the boll from the inside, or if may choose to do so from the
outside, eating through the involuecre and then into the boll. The hole
is usually bored from the bottom and passes towards the apex; fre-
19
quently, however, the hole is bored about midway of the boll and passes
straight in. As the worm thus feeds on the inside of the boll it may
pass straight towards the apex, devouring only the section of the fruit
which it has entered and then retreat, and attack another boll, or it
may bore through the partition into a second section, devouring it,
or the passage of the worm may be a slanting one from the first, in
which case two or three sections may be entered before retreating. The
worm seldom continues until it has destroyed all of the sections of the
boll, though the remaining sections are usually made worthless by the
decay which arises and spreads from the injured portions.
The notion which some planters have that the worm eats in at one
point on the boll and passes out at another is wrong, for if it ever does
so it is certainly the exception. Occasionally, however, there are two
holes in a boll similar to those which the Boll Worm makes and in-
deed the Boil Worm has been the culprit. Observation, however, has
proven that the Boll Wormoccasionally begins boring atone point, eats
into it but ashort distance, retreats, and beginsa second hole at another
point on the same boll. Sometimes, also, two worms are found attack-
ing the same boll, which, when they have finished and left it, appears
as if a worm had entered at one point and passed out at another.
It is further believed by some that the Boll Worm travels only at
night and feeds only late in the afternoon and evening. Concerning
both it must be said that the worms avoid the extremely hot sunshiny
part of the day, and prefer traveling and feeding during the cooler
parts; but at the same time considerable range must be allowed for the
whims of the worm, and other conditious which may arise to induce
the worm to go from boll to boll during mid-day and often at high
temperatures. As bearing on this it may be stated that often while
making morning observations in the cotton fields worms were found
in bolls. Without any disturbance these branches were marked so that
they could be easily found for experimental purposes in the afternoon.
In the afternoon it was always found that a number of worms had gone.
to other bolls or even branches on the same plant. Occasionally, too,
one would be found to hive left the plant entirely and could not be
found. The changing of plants was not often done during the day, but
was oftener found to be the case with those specimens which had been
marked the preceding evening and were looked for the next day. The
changing from boll to boll on the same plant may be frequently ob-
served during the day. The time of day when the worms feed most
vigorously is during the cooler portions cf the afternoon and evening
and in the morning before the sun shines so hotly.
After the killing frosts in late October and November the worms
which had not yet matured were found to feed as best they could upon
the berries of Solanum carolinense, and possibly, if forced to, would
feed upon any other available green plant found in the cotton fields.
Extensive observations on this point could not be made, since the worms
20
were not at all plentiful. It remains to be added that the larger
Heteropterous insects, mostly Metapodius, were abundant upon Sola-
num at this time, and that probably great numbers of the remaining
immature worms fell a prey to them.
The cannibalistic habits of the Boll Werm are also of importance and
must be cousidered here. First to be mentioned in this connection is
the fact that the Boll Worm devours its larval skin as soon as molted
and does so before it begins feeding on vegetable matter again. When
collecting worms from the fields considerable care must be exercised to
have a box or basket large enough to receive some foliage, in order that
the worms may not injure and destroy each other before reaching the
laboratory. In the breeding cages the Boll Worms not only attack
each other, but almost any other larva placed in the arena. In astate
of nature they have not been observed to deliberately attack each other
except in corn, especially when the field was a small one, and great
numbers of eggs are deposited and hatched on the same plant, so that
an unnatural number of worms expect to feed upon the same ear of
corn. The same may be said concerning the “bud,” if the plant be
young yet.
In several instances where such small fields of corn were found near
large cotton fields, examination of the ears resulted in finding from three
to six worms of various sizesin them, A day or two later when the
same ears were examined some of the smaller ones were found to be
badly bitten (enough to cause death), and some dead ones whose bodies
gave evidence of a violent death. None of the worms had been de-
voured, and it seems that the warfare had been brought about by the
worms intruding on each other’s territory, as feeding progressed, and
that nothing more was done than would maintain their positions.
THE PUPA.
A number of Boll Worms which had been fed on bolls in breeding
-cages matured and were placed in a fruit jar about two-thirds full of
earth. The worms at once entered the earth, formed their cells, and
pupated about 2 or 3 days after. The pupa is a beautiful green at first,
but soon turns to a light brown or. mahogany. When all the worms
had pupated the earth was examined to determine something about
the depth of the burrows and cells and the manner in which they were
made. The earth had been recently placed in the jar and was quite
loose when the worms were placed on it. The depth of the burrows
varied from 25 to 5 inches and throughout their course were partially
filled with loose earth. The cells were all much larger than any part
of the burrows and extended upward from the end of the same. One
worm had come to the surface of the glass in making its burrow,
and was observed while making its cell. The worm seemed to test
carefully every part of the wall of the cell to see that all was firm. The
whole surface was then thinly coated with a sticky fluid, at the same
21
time adding a small amount of webbing. The latter was plainly to be
seen on the glass of the jar.
Some of the mature Boll Worms which had been left in the breed-
ing cage without earth pupated unprotected on the floor of the same
and later issued as moths. In another instance, however, the mature
worm had been left in a newly-made breeding cage. The next morn-
ing the worm was found to have nicely webbed together the sawdust
accidentally left in the corner, and had formed a neat little cell, which
might almost be called a cocoon. This shows plainly that the Boll
Worm is capable at least of spinning a certain amount of web for its
cell, whether it always does so to so great an extent or not.
It was stated above that the worms pupated about 2 or 3 days
after having entered the earth. This, however, applies only to the
months of August, September, and October. Later the time is longer,
as is shown by the following observations: On November 1 a mature
Boll Worm from a breeding cage was taken to a cotton fieid and placed
on solid earth, a large open tin can being placed about the worm so
as to compel it to make its burrow under observation. The work of
digging its burrow was begun at once, and by the next day it had dis-
appeared below the surface. A small conical-shaped mound of loose
earth was formed about and over the opening of the burrow. On No.
vember 4 two other mature Boll Worms were similarly placed in open
cans, the one on solid earth, the other on earth which had been dug up
and made very loose. So faras could be seen without digging the bur-
rows were nade exactly as the one just mentioned.
On November 14 all the burrows were carefully followed up with a
small trowel, to determine depth, condition of the burrows and cells.
The worm placed on solid earth, November 1, had proceeded as follows:
Down for an inch, then slanting at about an angle of 120 degrees for
2 inches more when the cell had been made upward. The cell was
about anineh and a half long, and was therefore within an inch or less
of the surface. Very little webbing was noticeable along the burrow,
and but little in the cell. The burrow was about 0.25 inch in diameter,
larger at the distal end, aud contained a small amount of loose earth
along its entire length; also a plug of loose earth about 0.25 inch long
at the distal end next the cell. Having been in the earth 2 weeks, I
was surprised to find that the worm hadnot yet pupated. The burrows
and cells of the other two worms were examined, but no special differ-
ence worthy of note was found. The peculiar facts in all were: (1)
That the cells were all inclined and higher than the lowest part of the
burrow, thus bringing the pupa above the latter; (2) that the cells
were so near the surface; (3) that the larve were all found with their
heads at the upper end of the cell, wherefore the pup would have
been found with the anterior portion highest and resting on posterior -
end; (4) that they had not pupated after having been in the earth so
long a time.
22
The duration of the pupal state as noted by Dr. Booth for August to
September 2, was 10 to 11 days. At Holly Springs, Mississippi, a
number of worms pupated between August 28 and 3l. Some of the
pup issued after 15 days and others not until after 27 days. Two
others which had pupated September 4 and 7 issued September 20 and
30, making 16 and 22 days for the pupal state, respectively. Another
worm pupated August 31. This pupa was alive, but had not issued at
last observation, October 20, when it was injured and died later.
For deseription of pupa see Fourth Report, U. 8. Entomological Com-
mission, p. 371.
THE IMAGO.
For description of the moth see Fourth Report, U. S. Entomological
Commission, p. 371.
The sexes of the Boll Worm moth can usually be readily recognized,
especially if but a short time has elapsed since their issuance. After.
the females have deposited most of their eggs and their wings have
become worn and battered the sex is less easily distinguished. The
body of the female is noticeably more robust than the male; especially
the abdomen, which is distended somewhat by the eggs which are being
matured. The end of the abdomen is ovoid, acute, the tip not provided
with so large a tuft of thick hairs as is that of the male. The abdomen
of the male tapering more gradually is slightly longer, of less diameter,
and more cylindrical.
When feeding or ovipositing, the flight of the moth is much slower
than when flying long distances. The moth approaches a flower or
gland, often steadying itself with the fore legs, in any case fluttering
its wings rapidly, with antenn in constant motion. Sometimes they
alight to sip sweets, or perhaps to rest; in either case the wings are not
closed down upon the body, but are partially spread and elevated, leav-
ing barethe abdomen. If, however, the moth alights to hide, the wings
are folded down closely upon the body. Much the same flight is ob-
served in the female when ovipositing, sometimes alighting to do so,
but usually only steadying herself with the fore legs. In the act of
oviposition, the abdomen is bent forward sickle-shaped, bringing the
apex squarely upon the surface to be deposited on. The time occupied
in depositing an egg in this manner is equivalent to the time it requires
to count three or four slowly. At this rate, and in the interval of flying
about from plant to plant, some half dozen eggs are deposited, when
the moth is seen to fly away. So far as can be determined these inter-
vening flights are for the purpose of feeding and rest from labor.
Though the habits of the Boll Worm moth have been classed as noc-
turnal, and they are principally so, yet its diurnal habits are perhaps of
. geater importance than has hitherto been supposed. During continued
daily observations on the Boll Worm in the field the moth was frequently
seen flying about, and at times observed to feed. Upon closer obser-
23
vation it was found that on pleasant sunshiny afternoons the moths
flew about quite plentifully, feeding freely during their flight. Often
while standing in a patch of cowpeas, from about 3 p. m., have I ob-
served the moths, without any previous disturbance, rise here and
there, fly about the pea blossoms or the glands at the base of the young
pods, sip their exudations for a few minutes at atime, and then fly away
a short distance, alight to rest and hide. In the early part of the
afternoon the length of their visits to the pea blossoms are short and
the time of their hiding longer than later. About 5 to 6 p. m., when
the sun is yet quite high, the moths begin to fly for a longer time and
their hidings are of shorter duration.
My own experience with the moth has been that it feeds freely from
about 4 p.m. until sundown, when the females begin depositing their
eggs, feeding being apparently a minor matter at thistime. ‘The moths
thus seen flying about in the afternoon are not confined to one sex,
though the males predominate during the earlier period until an hour
or so before sundown, when both sexes appear presumably in about
equal numbers. The favorite food of the moths at daytime are the
blossoms and other secreting glands of the cowpeas; they also feed freely
on clover and Helenium tenuifolium. During the day the moth is seldom
met with in the cotton fields either as feeding or by being flushed. It
therefore appears that daring the day the moth prefers to hide and
feed upon plants some distance away from the cotton fields. During
twilight and night the moths are found abundantly in corn and cotton
fields, and feed almost entirely upon the exudations of the various
glands found on the cotton plant.
But not only are the feeding habits of the moth partly diurnal but
also those of the deposition of eggs. Though on several oceasions a
moth was seen depositing eggs on corn, and once on cowpeas in mid-
afternoon, the habit is not one of frequent occurrence.
These diurnal habits of feeding and oceasional deposition are of great
importance in the consideration of the utility of lights as traps for
catching the moths at night, and will be taken up more fully in that
connection.
The number of eggs which a female may be capable of depositing
is difficult of absolute determination, but has been shown to be much
ereater than was supposed. A female which had issued in confinement
was placed in a breeding cage with a male which had issued the suc-
ceeding day. Five days after deposition of eggs began, and continued
for 7 days. During this time 687 eggs were laid. Unfortunately,
the female which was thus under observation after having died became
mixed with other dead specimens on the table and hence no dissections
were made with a view of determining whether any well developed
eggs remained in the abdomen or whether the number of potential ova
was great. A female captured August 5, and confined in a box de-
posited 627 eggs in one night. Another, captured August 8, and
24
kept in the same manner, deposited 468 in one night. Another, cap-
tured August 14, deposited 505 eggs the first night, was kept in a
tin box without food during the next day and deposited 125 eggs more
on the second night, making 630 in all. The first female spoken of
above as having deposited her 687 eggs on seven successive nights did
so as follows, beginning with the first night and continuing in order:
49, 5, 10, 436, 147, 22, 18; averaging 98 per night.
The life of the moth was probably shortened by confinement, and
therefore the average number of eggs deposited each night is entirely too
high for oviposition under normal conditions. The record, however,
shows that a climax in egg deposition is reached after a certain period.
(The possible importance of this fact is considered under the head of
lights as traps for the moth.) The total number of eggs deposited by
the four females above noted was 2,413, averaging 603 per moth. But
the number of eggs deposited in one night by the moths captured and
confined show that their period of greatest egg deposition had already
been reached by them. Judging from the record of the moth whose
deposition of eggs was observed from the first, it seems safe to suppose
that probably each of the other moths had deposited about 50 eggs
previous to being captured. *This would raise the average to 653 eggs
per female. But again, from dissections of the females thus observed in
confinement it was found that a number of well developed eggs re-
mained, and usually also a great number of potential ova. The aver-
age of 653 eggs per female is therefore certainly not too great and proba-
bly much too small.
What the number of eggs deposited in one night ina free state of
nature are can only be approximated. As has been stated the female
deposits four, five, or more eggs in succession, then flies away, feeds
or rests a time, afterwards repeating the process. The interval of
nondeposition is necessarily variable, though as near as can be deter-
mined about 5 to 15 minutes. How long deposition is continued dur-
ing an evening is also not to be definitely stated, though it is noticeable
that the moths begin to decrease greatly in numbers soon after 8 o’clock,
thus approximately the time is about 2 hours. From these data it may
be approximated that from about 30 to 60 eggs are normally deposited
inasingle night. For the nights during the period of greatest deposi-
tion, the number deposited is probably much larger.
Upon the number and distribution of the eggs upon the various parts
of the host plants the following data are collated: By actual count the
number of eggs found on five corn plants is as follows, in averages: per
plant, 74 distributed as follows: tassel, 10; leaf sheaths, 10; leaves,
14; husks of ears, 15; silks, 25. The above count was made in a small
patch of corn surrounded by cotton fields with no other corn near,
wherefore the number of eggs per plant was perhaps greater than on
plants in larger fields of corn. (This point will be considered more fully
under corn as a protection to cotton, which see.) Of five cotton plants
25
the number and distribution of eggs in averages was as follows: per
plant, 7; leaves, 4; involucre, 1; stem and petiole, each, 1. These are
the data for plants examined at random at different times while mak-
ing observations. Bearing upon the choice of the place of deposition
the record of the female already spoken of as depositing in confinement
is interesting, and for the whole period of deposition was as follows:
on leaves, upper side, 37; under side, 110; stem, 23; petiole, 51; in-
volucre, 4;
The eggs are deposited upon quite a number of host plants. Corn is
unquestionably preferable if not too near maturity. Cotton perhaps
ranks next, though they deposit freely upon cowpeas. In addition to
these the moth was observed to deposit on the flower heads ot Helenium
tenuifolium, Amarantus spinosus, and A. retroflecus with Datura stra-
monium, upon which the moth feeds occasionally, Mrigeron canadense,
and a species of Panicum, on the doubdtful list. Deposition was not.
actually observed on any other host plants, though presumably the moth
will deposit on those plants upon which the worm is known to feed.
The food of the moth is quite diversified. During the night, so far
as observed, the secretions of the various glands of cotton seem to be
their main food, while during the day the same may be said of cow-
peas, Helenium tenuifolium, and to a lesser degree of newly protruding
corn tassels; occasionally, Amarantus retroflecus, A spinosus, Datura
stramonium, and perhaps some of the grasses. There may be many
other flowers, glands, possibly also fruits, which are visited, but which
did not come under observation.
The regular flight of the moth is very swift and never very high. In
flying some distance in a cotton field it seldom rises to the level of the
tops of the cotton plants, but flies lower, darting this way and that be-
tween the plants and foliage in the rows, and in this way from row to
row across the field. This manner of flight is also of importance in ad-
justing lights as traps for them, and is referred to its appropriate
heading.
During the greater portion of the day the moths remain hid. If in
corn field they are found down behind the sheath of the blades of the
stalks, about two or three feet from the ground. But most of the moths
hide outside of both corn and cotton fields, around the edges in the
weeds, under dried grass and rubbish, or in adjoining fields of clover
or cowpeas. When found hiding in these places they are usually upon
or near the ground, wings folded upon the body, and so located that a
dried blade of grass or other object quite completely hides them from
view.
NUMBER OF BROODS AND HIBERNATION.
Observations having only begun in August, the notes taken begin
with the fourth brood. which is the one which first begins to deposit
freely on cotton.
26
The broods overlap each other mostly as a result of a difference in
the rapidity of growth of many of the worms. One lot of Boll Worms
obtained from eggs deposited in a breeding cage by a single female in
a Single night, and later hatched on the same date, were reared under
the same conditions. Some of these worms matured and entered the
earth for pupation, while others were yet but half or two-thirds grown.
Due to such great irregularity in the length of the larval state fresh
females of the fourth brood may be found along with the first to issue
of the fifth brood in September. Not much work of the Boll Worm in
cotton is noticed until August or early in September. From abcut the
middle of September the moths of the fifth brood begin appearing,
and continue to the last of the month, or even the first of October,
after which time they are not often met with. At least a partial sixth
brood begins appearing late in September and early in October, and
consist principally no doubt of those individuals that have undergone
their transformations rapidly. That all of the sixth brood does not
appear is evident from the fact that they are fewer in number than any
of the earlier broods. Hence many of the pup of the fifth brood of
moths pass through the winter as such and form a part of the first
brood in spring. The moths of the last brood appearing so irregularly,
worms hatched from eggs of this brood are found in all stages as late
as November 20 to December 1. At Shreveport, Louisiana, during
this period Boll Worms were found on cotton which had only molted
the second time and were therefore only about one-third grown.
But this irregularity in duration of certain stages of the insect is not
confined to the larvie, but to the pup as well. Of a number of pup
which had been kept over from September and October one issued at
Shreveport, Louisiana, December 12. Whether the moths, if there be
many which issue at this time, hibernate as such or deposit their eggs
at once and die soon after, has not been determined positively. If the
latter be the case, the progeny will certainly be entirely lost, since no
living food plants are found at this period. The Boll Worms which were
yet immature at the time of the killing frost early in December were
quite certainly destroyed, as nothing remained for them to feed upon.
As to whether the moths hibernate, I can only say that close and con-
tinued search during December has failed to discover the moth. This
may not be surprising, however, since certainly the moths which issue
at so late a date, and which would therefore be likely to hibernate, are
very few in number, and hence would be met with perhaps only acci-
dentally during the winter season. Though a few moths issue at so
late a time as has been mentioned, the other extreme is also met with
in the pupal state. Evidence of this is the fact that several pupe
which were obtained from breeding cages late in August had not issued
up to November, when they were still alive, but were accidentally in-
jured and died.
It must be kept in mind throughout in speaking of certain stages of
27
the species that a majority only of that stage is referred to. It should
further be remembered that these observations apply only to the north-
ern region of “the cotton belt” and doubtless can be much enlarged
upon by observations in more southern portions.
NATURAL ENEMIES.
The fact that the Boll Worm was so scarce during the past season
precluded making extensive observations along this line.
Among the vertebrates only circumstantial evidence was obtained.
In one instance where the dissevered wings and torn bodies of Helio-
this were found under and near a large tree in a cotton field it was
also found that a “ butcher bird” had .its nest on one of the upper
branches. Another was the case of a negro tenant, who complained
about the crows lighting on his corn plants in the field and eating into
the end of the ears. Upon examination it was found that the corn was
badly infested with Boll Worm. This alone could not serve to estab-
lish the fact that crows picked into the ears for the primary purpose of
feeding on the worms. Feeding on the tender grains of corn beneath
the husk quite probably an occasional small Boll Worm was eating. It
is also probable that still others will be injured by the pecking into the
ends of the ears. The crops and stomachs of a number of quails were
examined and though they had them shot about cotton fields no Bell
Worms were found in these parts of their digestive organs. Upon vis-
iting the fields abont which they had been shot no Boll Worms could
be found and the negative result has therefore no great significance.
A common species of Soldier bug (Podisus spinosus) was found de-
vouring a large full-grown Boll Worm. An immature capsid (near
Leptoterna) was overlooked and left on a branch of cotton placed in a
breeding cage for a female to deposit upon. Soon after deposition
some of the eggs showed signs of shriveling and were supposed to be
sterile. Close examination, however, led to the discovery of the de-
stroyer, which was as yet but a pupa. The eggs being nearly empty
it was evident that the pupa had punctured the eggs and sucked their
contents. The same pupa was then placed on a branch of cotton with
some newly-hatched Boll Worms, all of which fell victims to its beak.
A common species of the robber flies (Hrax lateralis) was also seen to
catch the moth while on the wing.
No observations could be made upon ants in relation to the Boll
Worm, since the latter were not abundant enough for that purpose.
The ants have been watched on corn for an hour without noticing an
attack upon the eggs found deposited there. They are occasionally
Seen to enter the holes through the husks into the ears, but I did not
observe that they went in for the purpose of attacking the Boll Worms.
They only sipped freely of the juices and ferments of the injured kernels
of corn and the excrement of the worms. Sometimes dead worms are
28
found in the ends of ears into which ants have entered, but the condi-
tion of the worms plainly indicates that they had not been bitten or
tormented to death. In fact, worms under similar conditions, except
the absence of the ants, are often found, but from which parasites are
usually bred. A nearly grown Boll Worm was placed in the path of a
great army of ants, but was not caused any great inconvenience by
them. Sometimes an ant would run up on the back of the worm, but
the twisting, jerking, and rolling of the worm soon displaced the in-
truder and the worm escaped uninjured.
Of the three parasites, the one attacking the eggs (Trichogramma
pretiosa) is most important, though there are at least three others at-
tacking the worms. A small Chalecid* was bred in great numbers from
a Boll Worm captured in the field and transferred to a breeding cage
torear. The worm had been dead for a day or two before the para-
sitic larvee issued from its body. These did not form silken cocoons
but pupated nakedly on the side of the glass bottle. At least two
species of Tachina deposit their eggs on the backs of the worms. The
one deposits a pure white egg, the other a deep brown or black one.t
Both kinds are of the usual form and size of Tachina eggs. Great
difficulty has been experienced in rearing the dipterous larve after
issuing from the dead body and I have thus far obtained no adults.
As already stated, the most important parasite is the small T'richo-
gramma of the egg. The number of eggs which were found to be de-
stroyed by this parasite was simply amazing. In small patches of corn
near cotton fields it was noticed that of the many eggs found on the
husks and blades but a few retained their normal color, but soon tarned
dark or entirely black. Of the 57 eggs taken from some 8 or 10 corn
silks from this field October 18 only 7 hatched. The remainder were
kept in a vial for a time, when later the parasites issued in abundance.
In this-instance 84 per cent of the eggs had been destroyed by the
parasites. This per cent may be a little too high for the average, but
judging from the large majority of eggs seen on the plants, which were
black and evidently parasitized, it is certainly conservative to say that
during the Fall season 75 per cent of the eggs are destroyed through its
agency.
INSECT RAVAGES EASILY MISTAKEN FOR THOSE OF THE BOLL
WORM.
Owing to the fact that many planters attribute all of the shed forms
or bolls which show any signs of insect attack to the work of the Boll
Worm, it seems advisable to treat briefly of « few other insect depreda-
tions which are not well understood by them, and whose marks upon the
fallen squares may readily be mistaken by an inexperienced eye.
*This was Hexaplasta zigzag, and is a parasite of Phora and not of Aletia, Phora
being a scavenger on dead larvee of all kinds in the South.—C. V. R.
tNo black Tachinid eggs are known, and these were doubtless the eggs of Hu-
plectrus comstockii.—C. V. R.
29
EUPHORIA MELANCHOLICA.
These beetles, together with the four species of larvee immediately
following, are perhaps ot greatest importance in this connection. The
first observation upon this species was made at Lamar, Mississippi.
It led me to believe that the beetles did original boring into the bolls in
order to reach the soft parts and their juices inside. Subsequent ob-
servations have not verified this opinion. The beetles observed at
Lamar were found on a boll with their heads inserted into a small per-
fectly round hole about an eighth of an inch deep, or just deep enough to
reach the soft parts beneath the pericarp. Few Boll Worms had been
found in the field, and it seemed quite probable that the beetle had eaten
out the cavities themselves. At Holly Springs, Mississippi, where the
‘beetles were found quite plentifully in some fields, none were ever again
seen under similar circumstances.
Flying about among the cotton plants during an afternoon they would
be seen to alight on some boll which had been recently bored by the
Boll Worm, but which had alreaidly been deserted by it. Here the
beetle would sip of whatever juices there might be coming out of the
injured boll. This is quite profuse at times, especially from those bolls
of which the Boll Worm has but partially destroyed a certain section.
From these proceeds a profuse frothing ferment, highly relished by the
beetles, for occasionally two or three may be found at such bolls.
When no boll with this tasteful exudate is found, they often alight on
the tender-growing portions of a branch where leaf and flower buds
may as yet be found but partially developed. They crowd down be-
tween these and puncture the tender and juicy peduncles, nearly
always attacking those bearing flower buds. The small form supported
by this peduncle dries up just as those bored by the newly hatched
Boll Worm, and when dried enough to fall readily can not easily be
distinguished from young Boll Worm work. Witha view of determin-
ing whether the beetle ever did original boring upon cotton bolls if left
to its choice, a number were placed on branches of cotton in a breeding
cage, so as to be kept under observation. The results of these studies
during confinement showed plainly that the beetle did its most injurious
work by puncturing peduncles bearing forms or puncturing the very
small bolls ; in either case they were alwaysshed. It therefore appears
that if the beetle bores or eats into bolls at all, it certainly is an excep-
tional method of attack.
PLATYNOTA SENTANA.
The larva of this Tortricid moth is a small, green, slender, hairy
worm, having a brown head, and is about half an inch long. It attacks
forms and squares much the same as the young Boll Worm does. After
the work is done and the worm has gone, its work can not be distin-
guished from young Boll-Worm ravages. These larve continue their
30
habit of feeding on forms or young bolls until about half grown, when
they often migrate to the leaves, fold a portion of them together, and
feed under cover. Many, however, remain with the young bolls, and
reach maturity by feeding on them. They have been observed to bore
half-grown bolls and destroy their contents.
CACGICIA ROSACEANA.
This Tortricid attacks the cotton in much the same way as the pre-
ceding species, and for that reason its depredations may be mistaken
for traces of the Bell Worm. The worm differs from the preceding in
that the head, dorsal surface of the first segment, and the legs are black.
PRODENIA LINEATELLA.
This fleshy worm was observed entering into nearly grown bolls and
feeding on their contents. Its ravages are exactly like those of a nearly
grown Boll Worm, and the two can not be distinguished.
NOCTUID (undetermined).
A cutworm, looking much like Agrotis c-nigrum, was found in a large
breeding cage which had been placed over some cotton plants in the
field. When placed over the plants, none of the forms or bolls had been
injured, and no Boll Worms were found on the plants. Some time later
several large bolls had been bored, and this worm was the only one
which could be found in the cage. The evidence is therefore only cir-
cumstantial.
PLANT LICE.
(Aphis gossypti and Aphis sp.)
These small, greenish, mostiy wingless, insects were especially abun-
dant during the past season. Harlier in the season they are found prin-
cipally on the leaves and younger growing portions of the branches,
but frequently also on the young bolls between them and the involucre.
Later in the season they are found most abundantly in the last-named
localities, and in such great numbers on a single form or young boll
that the latter soon fall off as a result of their puncturings.
In many cases the fruit thus injured simply dries and adheres to the
branch. This fact often serves to distinguish it from Boll Worm work.
Even when this is not the case their work is readily distinguished in
that the form or square contains numerous small punctures.
THRIPID 4.
These small brownish insects during August were found in great
numbers in the forming blossoms of the cotton plant. The feeding of
these insects causes the form to drop soon after the blossom falls, if
dl
not before. Such forms often present small black spots looking like
small borings, but which are so numerous that they need not be con-
fused with young Boll-Worm ravages. It must be noted that these
signs of mechanical injury are not to be attributed to the Thrips. The
shedding of these bolls is probably due to the fact that the work of the
Thrips on the essential organs prevents fertilization. This insures the
dropping of the fruit.
Many other species of the suborder Heteroptera probably puncture the
pericarp of the very young bolls or their peduncles, in either case caus-
ing the shedding of the fruit. Careful examination will show that the
injury is a puncture and should not be mistaken.
Neitier of the first four species mentioned are numerous enough to
cause alarm or extended damage, and are only mentioned to show that
there is a certain small per cent of injury easily attributed to the Boll
Worm which does not justly belong to that species.
REMEDIES.
TOPPING OF COTTON AND ROTATION OF CROPS.
These have both been justly pronounced inefficient as a means of
fighting the Boll Worm (see Fourth Report U.S. Entomological Com-
mission). It may be stated, however, that numerous interviews with
farmers verified the opinion that topping did no harm, and that if “ you
could strike itright” it was an advantage. Experimentation is first
necessary to show that it is practical and profitable to practice topping
of cotton as an additional means of cultivation and the proper time to
do so determined. When this is done it will depend largely upon
whether that time falls within the period of greatest deposition by the
moths. If so, no doubt some additional benefit will be derived by the
destruction of the eggs deposited on the parts cut away in topping.
But since the moth has been found to have such a wide range of de-
position and the portion cut off in topping is so small in proportion to
the whole surface of the plant exposed and suitable for deposition, it is
not to be recommended to incur the expense of topping when nothing
more is to be accomplished than the destruction of the few eggs which
are likely to be found on the parts cut away. The rotation of crops
can be of no avail against the insect, since it feeds equally well upon the
corn or cowpeas, which are most likely to be rotated with the cotton.
FALL PLOWING.
This is to be urged for several reasons. It has been my experience,
that where the cells of the Boll Worm pup are broken up and placed
in loose, moist earth, which is allowed to be moist continuously and
possibly to excess, that the pup die in a majority of cases even with-
out freezing. It therefore appears that actual contact of the pupa
32
with the cold moist earth sooner or later may cause its death. From
this fact and the long continuous rainy season of the winter here it
seems probable that great numbers of the pups will be destroyed if
the soil be plowed late in December, so as to allow the loose earth to
become well drenched by the almost continuous January rains. Sub-
sequent rains will keep it quite wet, often perhaps, to excess. The
pupal cells having been broken up, the wet earth directly affects the
wellbeing of the pupxw. Even though the exposure to moisture alone
should not prove entirely efficient, a light frost or the sudden cold
wave changes of the atmosphere. would greatly aid in the work of
destruction. Certain it is, that a heavy frost occurring when the pup
are in such condition would destroy all thus exposed. For this reason
if the soil could be plowed in November so that the first black frost
of the winter season could be utilized in killing exposed pupe, great
benefit would certainly be derived.
CORN AS PROTECTION TO COTTON.
Cornfields planted in July or August were always found to be badly
infested with worms. Especially was this the case where the fields
were sinall and near cotton fields. At the same time corn fields no
larger but greater distances away from cotton fields were less infested
and the cotton more so. As has previously been noted, this is explained
by the fact that the moths feed mostly on cotton at night, but leave it
to deposit on corn if found suitable and near by. Even late spring
planting was found suitable for deposition in August, though maturing
rapidly and having nearly grown worms in the ears. Especially sug-
gestive were the observations made in cotton fields where a poor stand
had been obtained and where corn had been planted in the “skips.”
In all cases the moths deposited freely upon the corn, though it was
fast reaching maturity. Several of these cotton fields were carefully ex-
amined. The most extended search for worms revealed very few in-
deed, and the only possible conclusion to be arrived at was on the.
whole that the damage to the cotton was not so great as in those fields
without the corn distributed through them. It is therefore evident that
by the proper management of the planting of corn the latter could be
made to answer 2s a great protection to the cotton against Boll Worm
ravages. This management must consist in arranging the crops on the
plantation so that green corn suitable for egg deposition shall be kept
near or in the cotton fields in range of the moths.
It must be stated, however, that the corn, which is intended to act as
a trap for the deposition of the eggs, and hence of the worms as soon
as hatched, must be planted with a view of being cut as fodder as soon
as a sufficient number of worms are found in the plants and before the
worms begin maturing. From this it follows that the corn, which is to
be allowed to mature and produce corn must be planted further away
from the cotton fields in order that it may become infested as little as
3d
possible. The importance of this will be appreciated when it is remem-
bered that all the worms which mature on this corn and produce moths
will furnish an additional supply to infest cotton and at the same time
reduce the number trapped by the corn planted for that purpose. The
corn cut for fodder should be disposed of in such a way as to insure the
destruction of the worms found in the plants when cut. Each planting
of corn which is to act as a trap should be planted soon enough to be
in good condition for deposition as each brood of moths makes its appear-
ance. This would require about three plantings for the northern por-
tions of the cotton belt, and probably four in the southern.
The three plantings should occur about the first days of June, July,
and August, respectively, and be cut whenever the worms are nearing
maturity, to be sure to prevent their escape. By this method the
least possible number of worms reach maturity. This consequently
reduces their ravages on cotton later in the season to a minimum. This
minimum is the most that can be hoped for, ro matter what may be the
remedial or preventive measures resorted to. This method would
furnish a great source of fodder, and would tend to diversify Southern
agriculture, a result greatly to be desired.
LIGHTS FOR ATTRACTING THE MOTHS.
Most of the experiments with lights for trapping the moths have
proven unsatisfactory so far as economic results are concerned, but
have been suggestive in that they have clearly marked out what will be
necessary to make the use of lights more efficient.
While at Shreveport, Louisiana, in company with Dr. A. R. Booth,
two kinds of patented lamps were taken into a large field of cotton to
test their relative values and also to determine if possible the ease
with which the moth could be attracted to lights. The lamps were
lighted at 6:30 p. m. Quite a number of moths were seen flying about
in the tield as we passed through it, but up to half an hour after sun-
down but few insects of any kind were attracted. From that time
until 8 to9 p. m. insects of nearly every description were captured, but
no Boll Worm moths. Sometimes a moth would be seen to approach
the lamps but was more interested in feeding and depositing, always
passing by or around without apparently noticing the lamps.
The lamps had been placed on pedestals high enough to bring them
above the level of the top of the cotton plants, hoping thereby to
attract moths from greater distances. Inthe mean time it was noted
that the moth seldom attained to such a height during her flights about
the cotton plants. Accordingly, on the evening of August 8, the same
lamps were taken into the field, but placed so as to meet the habits of
flight of the moth. This placed them at least on a level ora little
below the plane of the top of the cotton plants. It was found that
more moths approached and came nearer the lamp, and one was caught.
In most cases, judging from the flight and actions of the moths, the lamps
23024—No. 24 3
b4
were simply met with in their regular flight through the field for the
evening, and that their course had not been materially influenced by
the lights. Despite this fact, it was evident that the probabilities of
trapping the moths at this height were increased. To vary the experi-
ment, the lamp was carried through the field at about the height just
mentioned, and one person walked along on each side some distance
from the lamps so as to disturb the moths in that vicinity. In this way
still more of the moths came near the lamps, and another one was
caught. This is impractical, however, since the expense of labor is
too great, at least until some means of making the lights more efficient
is effected.
One of the lamps was provided with a shield constructed so that it
would revolve with the wind, and thus prevent the lights from being
biown out. This is entirely wrong, since the moth usually flies with
- the wind, in which case the light is of course shut oft from view en-
tirely. This defect renders the lamp entirely worthless for the end de-
sired. In our experiments this shield was held or made stationary, and
hence the defect did not enter or vary the significance of the results. —
At Holly Springs, Mississippi, lamps were placed in cotton fields at
various times during August. Some consisted merely of beer bottles
filled with kerosene and a piece of unraveled cotton rope for a wick, and
others of more powerfullamps. In all cases the lamps were placed in
pans containing an inch or so of water, with a little oil on the surface,
the whole being placed on a supporting pole or pedestal. The beer-
bottle lamps burned satisfactorily, produced a good light, and attracted
insects of nearly every order and kind except the Boll Worm moth,
though these had been seen flying about in the field late in the after-
noon.
On the night of September 9 these lamps were again taken into a
cotton field having a small patch of corn near by; also a large patch
of weeds, principally sneeze weed (Helenium tenuifolium). A lamp was
placed in each at about the level of the tops of the plants, except the
one in corn which was placed on about the same level as the ears on
the plants. By 5 o’clock the moths were seen flying plentifully and
ovipositing freely. The lamps were lighted at 6:15 o’clock. No insects
of any kind were attracted until 7 o’clock, when moths of all kinds be-
gan flying near the lamps. By 7:15 a Boll Worm moth had been
caught at the lamp in corn. At 7:25 at the lamp in cotton a Boll
Worm moth flew near the lamp, alighted on the pedestal and rested.
From here it flew up to a small boll in the direct light of the lamp, de-
posited an egg and flewotf. From this time on many Ichneumonids and
other Hymenoptera, as also great numbers of Microlepidoptera were
caught. At7:40a Boll Worm moth was seen to fly through the flame of
the lamp but was not captured. In corn at 7:50 a moth flew about the
lamp and alighted ona blade of corn less than 2 feet away. For this
act of defiance it was introduced to the cyanide bottle. Not many
35
moths were seen between 8 and 9 o’clock but the lamps were left burn-
ing all night to determine what would be the nature of the catch by
the next morning. At this time the catch was examined and the results
are tabulated below. For convenience the lamps in Heleniwm, corn, and
cotton will be numbered 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
TABLE VII.
Hymenoptera.
Waaee
| Ichneumo-| Miscella- | :
| nide. | neous. | oo :
iS apie erat 10 | fe) et
Bis Aap ot 9 | a) | tte ||
BAS OsC Onno Sse | 12 2 | 14 |
otal for alle ie Se ean | 40 |
Lepidoptera.
= Mealy: . Tie . |
: ee Helio Spilo- | Geome- -,_. |Pteropho- Miscel- |
Lamp.| Agrotis.) ‘this, soma. hance tride. Pyralid@.|" vide. _laneous. a
ee : | = is
BOR bilo ke, beast ete \Eoesee | 17 | ISMN ee) gee 300 | 332
pm te 2 | ig erro 1 | 30 27 300 | 361
Dee Il | soceocses- | 1 abosossocs 20 26 250 323
Motallfor all seeps cei esere =lelel= ala lelale ate lal= ol etnie etal = aim =e te tam =m mi='m mia) icfain |= =\nlmin min /e alm ln vel) ininie 1, 016
Diptera.
| Lamp. “Tipalide. Miseella- Total. |
| neous. |
7 |
Ie ee ares 8 25 33
Monsepode 40 10 50
Bosseass5|\Ss55cs55cnc8 75 75
ea ees
| Motalptor alyssa tee seeee eee 158
Coleoptera.
Lamp. | Epicauta. ponte | Blateride. Btaphiy | Carabidex. | Dace | Total.
a | ——|—
Dee Nec ecccts « 2. 2 25 8 | 257 ("| 628
Oye aes He | se aay eaocetot shedien toned) eos gececece 2 | 50 | 59 |
toa SmtoR a 2 MW Gedeeaacoes [eee mera kere 6 |e wee ee wee eee | 9
—
Mao balefOl All cies Se deececlsisey- ine mie 2 ooo =e mea mewn ne a= a soe wee nina esse’ Sse | 130
Hemiptera.
Lamp. | Homoptera. Heteroptera, | Total.
MS ee oec 200 100 300
Macoocdes 200 100 300
Seeeeieee 200 150 350
Botalstor alles sae - ee sce 950
36
TABLE VII—Continued.
Neuroptera.
| Lamp. | Chrysopa.}| Total.
es Sore
[Uke astaee 1 1
Pee 2 1 1
Dik eaccs s|lpaauns nse Uoalenemeaer
| Total forall .... ri 2
.
Orthoptera.
Lamp. Mantis. (£canthus., Locustide. | Total.
|
Wee Societe 1 2 2 5
Oe: 1 DA Sefain ate rato 3
193 es eee 7 Fee es Ant SRO MS ne 2
Total forall 2 -s25ce.54-msese~ ooh eee 10
The above results show that the direct benefit to cotton plants, so far
as known, is very small. At the same time such beneficial insects as
the Ichneumonids, predaceous beetles, and the Praying Mantis arede-
stroyed, and if trapping be systematically followed up the loss may in-
deed be considered greater than the gain.
These experiments led to the belief that the lights used were not bril-
liant enough for the intended purpose. Accordingly, an electric lamp
was rented. The lamp is provided with a round burner and the flame
produced is about, 5 inches in circumference. When the chimney is
placed over the flame the lamp is said to give a light equal to 100 can-
dles. Experiments with this lamp in connection with the others were
continued in the cotton fields during September. On the evening of the
13th both kinds were placed out. The night proved to be a damp cold
one, and the dew fell early in the evening. As a result no Boll Worm
moths and but few insects of any kind were trapped. Of this small
number the parasitic Hymenoptera and predaceous beetles were greatly
in the majority. The insects caught were such as are easily attracted
to lights, and were quite equally distributed between the three lamps
(two beer-bottle ones and the other the electric lamp). A rainy season
began at this time and continued so that no further experiments with
lamps could be made until October 4. At this time the electric lamp
was placed in a cotton field to determine what would be the nature of
the catch. Heliothids had been seen flying about in the evening while
making some other observations, but none were captured by the lamp
at night. The other insects trapped were about the same in kind as
those already tabulated for September 9, only that the quantity cap-
tured by the electric lamp was about equal to that of all three of the
others, andit had only been left burning until 10 o’clock.
October 20 the lamps were again placed out, this time one in a patch
of cowpeas and the other some distance away in a small patch of corn
which had been planted in July. During the day Boll Worm moths
37
were seen hiding behind the sheaths of the corn blades, while a number
were also seen flying about the cowpeas. The one in the cowpeas was a
beer-bottle lamp and placed about the height of the plants. The one in
the corn was the electric lamp, and was placed about the height of the
earsof corn. They were lighted at6p.m. At thistime a few of the fe-
males were depositing on corn. At 7 o’clock some were seen to fly by
the lamp but were not trapped. The parasitic Hymenoptera and smaller
Lepidoptera had been caught in great abundance at both lamps. Re-
turning at 10 o’clock to further examine the catch of the Jamps, they
were found to have been stolen and no further notes could be taken.
The moths at this time were not very abundant and doubtless were but
a portion of the last brood of the season. The moths seen flying by the
electric lamp were near enough to have been stopped had the lamp been
provided with long projecting wings and a larger pan to receive the
moths as they fell. No Heliothids were observed at the beer-bottle
lamp.
These light experiments, as wili be seen from the record, were begun
at the time that the midsummer brood was issuing abundantly, and
hence also during the period of greatest egg deposition a little later.
During this period, as has been stated, the provoking observation was
made of seeing the female near the iights, deposit an egg in plain view,
fly away and continue her work. It is evident, therefore, that the
female is not easily diverted from the work of depositing eggs by the
ordinary lights used. Later, when the experiments show that a few
moths were trapped, it is also true that the period of greatest deposi-
tion had passed, and that, though dissections showed that a few eggs
still remained together with a number of potential ova, the females had
passed their prime. As bearing on this the following may be drawn
from the observations of Dr. Booth: Theinsect contents of a globe of a
2,000candle power are light were examined continuously from Septem-
ber 3 to13,inclusive. An average of 40 Heliothids were found for each
night. Of these 1 in 6 or 8 were females, containing on an average
from 30 to 40 eggsin the oviducts. The lamp tender reported that after
September 26 no more moths were caught.
The fact that the moth was frequently seen to fly near the light,
often as near as 2 or 3 feet, suggests that the lamps to be efficient not
only must be brilliant, but must also have some wide and extensive
wings extending from it ip such a way as not to throw a shadow and
to arrest, temporarily at least, the flight of the moth passing near by.
If now the large pan and the lamp be provided with an additional in-
ducement in the way of some strong smelling sweets, the moth thus
arrested in its fligat and its attention diverted from its evening work,
if not falling into the pan, may be attracted a second time and be cap-
tured.
Unless it is found that the earlier broods are more easily attracted to
lights it is questionable whether the inefficient lights so commonly used
38
by planters are to be at all recommended if nothing more is to be accom-
plished than the trapping of the Boll Worm moth, and for the following
reasons: (1) Buta small per cent are caught; (2) of these the great ma-
jority are males; (3) while some females are caught before having
deposited many eggs, the greater per cent have passed their prime ;
(4) beneficial insects being more easily trapped are destroyed in too
great numbers in proportion to the benefit derived from the destruction
of obnoxious insects to warrant such inefficient warfare. These may
all be included in the one general reason that the lights are only strong
enough to readily attract beneficial insects but are powerless to attract
the obnoxious insects desired until its most important work (deposition
of eggs) has almost been completed.
POISONED SWEETS.
No field experiments were made with poisoned sweets, but a number
were made with moths in the laboratory. The mixture was composed
of 1 part of white arsenic dissolved in 20 parts boiling water; 4 parts
of this solution were added to 3 parts of ordinary table sirup. The
mixture was placed in a watch glass under a bell jar or sprayed upon
cotton branches in a breeding cage. When the moths were placed in
they always soon found the sweets and sipped of them. The result of all
the experiments showed that the moths readily partook of the sweetened
liquids. Those having sipped of the poisoned solutions died, on an
average, within 30 minutes; the shortest time being 15, the longest 45
minutes. Experiments were also made upon a few other insects, mostly
such as were considered beneficial. They were placed in the cages just
as the moths had been and were found to partake of the sweets quite as
readily and died as certainly. Thus in field experiments doubtless
many beneficial insects will also be destroyed by the extensive use of the
poisoned sweets.
The moths kept in cages for experimental purposes were fed by spray-
ing unpoisoned solutions of the sweets upon the cotton branches. The
moths fed readily and lived usually from 5 to 8 days.
The poisoned sweets used in the experiments in the laboratory con-
tained no liquids which could liberate a strong odor such as is neces-
sary in field experiments. These may be added in the form of beer or
vinegar or perhaps any other liquid having similar properties.
It was demonstrated by the experiments in the laboratory that newly
issued and old moths were alike easily induced to feed on the poisoned
drops of sweets sprayed on the branches in the cages. It may there-
fore follow that if these poisoned liquids can be properly applied to the
plants upon which the moths feed freely both at night and during the
day, that females may be readily attracted to feed, and hence killed,
during their entire period of deposition. It therefore appears probable
that if some practical means is employed to apply these poisoned sweets
properly and abundantly as food for attracting the moths that such
3g
method of warfare against the adults will prove more efficient than any
other alternative yet resorted to against them. Itis evident, however,
that to be most efficient, the poisoned sweets must be applied from the
time when the moths begin feeding freely, and in such a way that they
may meet with them readily in their flights about their food plants.
The first will be accomplished if applied as early as 4 o’clock in the
afternoon, in which case the poisoned liquids would also be exposed to
their visits during the evening and night. The second can be attained
by spraying the poisoned liquid upon the food plants. For those moths
feeding during the day this must be applied principally to cow peas, for
those feeding at night upon cotton.
The practicability of this method is yet somewhat questionable since
probably one application of the poisoned liquids would be efficient only
fora fewdays. It may further be questioned in that, as has been noted,
the moths of any given brood issue quite scatteringly. At the same
time it may be that applications of tae poisoned sweets at intervals of 3
or 4 days will prove to be as practical as arranging for, and attending to,
light trapping properly. My own efforts to experiment fully along this
line were rather frustrated by rainy weather during September. This
made experiments difficult and more or less indecisive.
The possible utility of combining poisoned sweets with lights has al-
ready been noted. The fact that females are readily attracted by sweets
before many eggs have been deposited by her may become a sufficient
additional inducement to entice those flying so near the lamps to linger
a few moments longer and probably result in her capture. With these
probabilities in mind it is to be hoped that the approaching season may
be more propitious for experimental work and the boll Worm more
abundant.
PYRETHRUM.
Experiments with the dry powder.—The tirst of the following series of
experiments with pyrethrum were made upon infested corn. The patch
of corn was about two rods square and located near the center of the town
(Holly Springs, Mississippi). It was a second planting and was only
knee high at this time, August 19. The middle rows of the patch were
selected and one row for each experiment taken. The powder was
dusted from above down into the bud of the corn by means of a small
cheese-cloth sack, double thickness.
EXPERIMENT 1,
August 19, 2:30 p.m. Mixture, equal parts lime dust and pyrethrum. The plants
in the row by actual count contained 43 worms of various sizes.
Result.—Soon after dusting a few acted uneasily, began to crawl, and finally drop-
ping to the ground, hid in the loose earth. This note applies more or less to all the
experiments made with the powders. August 20, 10 a. m., 17 worms alive and feed-
ing, 10 dead, 16 not present. In percentages this is 39.5, 23.3, 37.2, respectively. The
living worms were mostly nearly mature ones which had penetrated far into the
center of the bud and may not all have come in contact with the powder. The dead
40
ones were mostly composed of half or two-thirds grown worms. These notes again
apply equally well to nearly all the other experiments with the powder. The follow-
ing experiments will therefore be given more concisely.
EXPERIMENT 2.
August 1), 3 p. m. Mixture, 2 parts lime dust, 1 part pyrethrum. Number of
wornis in plants, 43.
Result.—August 20, 11:30 a. m., 20 living, 10 dead, 13 not present, or 46.5, 23.3, 30.2
per cent, respectively.
EXPERIMENT 3.
August 19, 3:30 p.m. Mixture pyrethrum fultstrength. Number of worms 54.
Result.—August 20, 12 m., 25 living, 8 dead, 21 not present, or 46.3, 14.8, 33.9 per
cent, respectively.
EXPERIMENT 4.
August 19,4 p.m. Mixture equal parts lime and pyrethrum. Worms not counted.
Result.—August 20, 2 p.m., 19 living, 12 dead, or 61.3 and 38.7 per cent, respec-
tively.
EXPERIMENT 5.
August 19, 4:30 p. m. Mixture 2 parts lime, 1 part pyrethrum. Worms not
counted. ;
Result.—August 20, 2:30 P- m,, 26 living, 8 dead, or 76. 5 and 23.5 per cent, respec- |
tively.
EXPERIMENT 6.
August 19,5 pm. Fullstrength pyrethrum. Worms not counted and only a part
of the row Mg
Result,—August 20, 3 p. m., 5 living, 6 dead, or 45.5 and 54.5 per cent, respectively.
The dead worms of experiments | to 6 were kept, for raising any possible parasites,
until September 3, when they were found to be perfectly dry and were thrown away.
No parasites had issued from them.
As checks on experiments 1 to 6 it may be stated that in examining
the rows carefully to count the actual number of ~vorms in the plants
no dead worms were found. Numerous other observations upon corn
of a similar age, and which had not been dusted, verified the one made
while counting the worms.
The first 6 experiments and their results may be tabulated for con-
venience as follows:
TABLE VIII.
Experi- A ce a Pees 2 A | Probable
ene Substance used. | Living. Dead. | Absent. | benefit.
Leseeeee | | Lime and pyrethrum, equal parts. . 39. 5 23.3 37. 2 60.5
Dtee meme: | Lime 2 parts, pyrethrum I (Pant. score 46.5 23.3 30. 2 53.5
Hae oo sont Pyrethrum, fullstrength.............. 46.3 14.8 38.9 | 53. 7
eos Same as experiment EME 61.3 38.7 |.-..-----. 38.7
Divecpmetes Same as experiment 2........-...---.- 76. 5 23.5. -eee---- 23.5
Diss stoke .-- | Same as experiment3......--.-...---. 45.5 DESO reno Saco 54.5
AVOTAR GS ieee laste ote nner 52.6 29. 7 | 7. ae 47.4
Al
EXPERIMENT 7,
August 20, 10:45 a. m. Dusted the 17 living nearly-grown worms of experiment 1
with full strength pyrethrum, and placed them in a closed mailing box without food.
Record—11 a. m., some are beginning to be restless; 12:30 p. m., all are quiet;
1:45 p. m., one almost dead, others jump when touched ; 4:20, p.m., one dead, others
as before.
August 21, 11:30 a.m. Somehave become quite active again, and as aresult 4 were
bitten, 3 are dead, 6 others alive and active, while the rest were probably eaten.
The active ones were placed in a breeding cage, and provided with branches of cot-
ton having leaves and bolls. Some died later and a few matured.
EXPERIMENT 8.
August 30, 4:30 p. m. Eighteen of the living worms from experiments 4, 5, and 6 were
well dusted with lime. Nine were placed in each of two closed mailing boxes. This
experiment was for the purpose of having a check on any possible eftect of the air-
slacked lime on the worms,
August 21, 11:45 a. m. In one box two were injured and died. The rest alive and
active. In the other box all are well and active. Both lots were then placed on
branches of cotton in breeding cages. All began feeding; a few died later, but most
of them matured.
EXPERIMENT 9.
September 11. Boll Worm in a boll with posterior segments protruding. Dusted
this with full strength pyrethrum at 9:15 a. m.; no immediate effect was noticeable;
11:30 a.m. ; worm has turned round ; head almost protruding; not feeding; 3 a. m.,
has turned round now to position same as when dusted, and is feeding. With a
pair of forceps placed some pyrethrum powder on the body of the worm in the hole.
Did not effect the worm noticeably for five to ten minutes.
September 12, 8:30 a. m. Has left the boll and is in the upper corner of the cage
still alive and active.
September 13, 8 a. m. Has returned to the boil it had left, and is feeding. Dusted
the protruding portion with pyrethrum. In the afternoon the worm was found
crawling about in the cage, but appeared to be full grown and searching for a place
to pupate. Placed back on the branch again.
September 14. Worm still on the boll and is active, but not feeding. Particles of
pyrethrum are found adhering to the body. The anus is swollen and inflamed, pro-
ducing a watery exudate. This may be due to the effect of the pyrethrum, for this is
the portion of the body which was usually protruding from the hole in the boll and
received most of the dusting. The worm was placed in a partially opened form.
September 15. Has eaten the form almost entirely.
September 16. Crawling about in cage, Placed on a branch.
September 17. Crawling about in cage. Has shortened some and is preparing to
pupate. Placed in a tin can with earth to allow it todoso. Pupated September 21.
Pupa still alive October 3, when it was placed in alcohol as a specimen.
In one instance, when a worm had been experimented with in a similar way to Ex-
periment 9, the worm went down to corner of the cage (which was a newly made one),
webbed together the loose sawdust found there, and pupated in the cell thus formed.
EXPERIMENT 10.
September 20, 5:30 p. m. Marked five bolls in which Boll Worms were feeding and
a portion of the body protruding. At 5:40 dusted profusely with pyrethrum, full
strength.
42
6 p.m. The first worm ceased feeding and left; can not be found. The second was:
entirely in boll, but came out and is twisting abont uneasily; finally it fell to the:
ground in convulsions, tumbling over on its back as if to scrub off the powder. The:
third ceased feeding. The fourth was a young worm and is not to be found. The fifth
still feeding.
6:15. The second is still in convulsions and can not crawl well; it is one about
two-thirds grown. The third has fallen to the ground, but is crawling into loose
earth. The fifth continues feeding. The last two are nearly grown worms, and
doubtless will take some time to become badly paralyzed. At 6:30, while making:
other observations, it became dark, and could not find the worms again.
A number of individual experiments with grown worms, both in the
laboratory and open air, were made. The worms were well dusted with
full-strength pyrethrum and were allowed their pleasure as to their
abode afterwards. They always crawled into the loose earth as soon
as possible, and as long as they were observed showed signs of recovery.
Other experiments similar to Experiment 9 are omitted because their
results were practically the same in all cases.
DECOCTIONS OF PYRETHRUM.
Seven pints of rain water were brought to boiling in an open pan ;
12 grains of pyrethrum were then stirred in and boiled for 15 minutes.
The whole was then strained so as to get out most of the powder. This
decoction was made on the afternoon of September 19, but owing toa
threatening rain was kept in sealed Mason jars until the next day, when
the decoction was sprayed on bolls containing Boll Worms. The fol-
lowing strengths were used: Full, two-thirds, and half.
{XPERIMENT 15.
September 20. The bolls with worms in had all been found and marked during
the forenoon. The day was warm and sunshiny. In thé afternoon it was found that
one of the worms had changed bolls since morning observation. At 2:40 p. m. full
strength of the decoction was sprayed on each of six bolls containing Boll Worms.
Four of the six were not in bolls, but between them and their involucres. The
greater portion of the plants surrounding the boll was also sprayed.
2:50. No uneasiness manifested by any.
3:15. Five as before; one half-grown worm has moved and can not be found.
3:45. No change; has not affected the worms yet.
4:10. None feeding ; no change.
5:00. One feeding; others as before.
5:50. None feeding.
September 21. Two worms still in place; one feeding, the other just molted; two
others finished the bolls in which they were found and have disappeared; the other
one is in boll in laboratory.
September 23. All have gone but one; this one went to another boll, fed, and has
just molted; an hour later it was found devouring molted skin.
EXPERIMENT 16.
September 20. Equal parts decoction and rain water. At3o’clock sprayed five
bolls, each containing a Boll Worm. Four were not feeding, but resting between boll
and involucre; the other was in boll feeding. None had changed position since
morning observation.
43
3:25. One seems to be a little uneasy ; others manifest no anxiety.
3:42. The one in boll has turned around and is poking its head out of the bolls;
another has moved and gone into a blossom; the others same as before.
4:10. One is feeding ; all the others quiet and not feeding.
5:00. One feeding ; others no change.
5:50. None feeding.
September 21. Four still in place, all feeding; the other has left the plant.
September 23. One still in place, but has about destroyed its boll. The others
have done so and are gone.
The record of the experiment with two parts decoction and one part rain water is
- omitted because of the similarity of results to those of Experiment 16.
CHECKS ON EXPERIMENTS 15 AND 16.
September 20. At first three, but later five more worms were marked as checks.
2:30. One entirely in boll, feeding ; another, nearly mature, resting and not feeding ;
a third, very young one, is feeding.
5:00. Checks all in place feeding.
5:50. All but very young one feeding. Made a search for more worms; found five,
all of which are in bolls feeding,
September 21. One still in boll, but not feeding.
The small worm has bored through a form and is feeding. The nearly matured
worm has destroyed its boll and has gone away.
The result of all the experiments with pyrethrum is, on the whole,
negative. Before treating more fully of the results of the experiments
it must be stated that the corn plants, cotton bolls, and Boll Worms were
more thickly and thoroughly dusted or sprayed than it would have
been possible to do by dry method of application which would be inex-
pensive enough to be practical. There is a special difficulty in the case
of cotton. At the time when the powder would be most efficient, that
is, when the worms are yet less than half grown, they are found princi-
pally at work in forming blossoms and very young bolls. In these the
involucre so completely and effectually inclose the portions in which
the worms are at work that it is practically impossible to reach them.
It is well known that the young form or boll is sensitive to excessive
rains, and their involucres, it seems, are to a great extent a provision of
nature to protect the tender young bolls from such injury. To what-
ever extent this may be the case, it is certain that their involucres make
it exceedingly difficult to reach the forms and bolls beneath them by
any of the methods of spraying, and therefore also to all decoctions or
solutions of whatever kind.
Upon corn before it has tasseled the powder may be used with greater
success, as will be seen from a study of Experiments 1to6. From these
we find that a certain benefit of about 30 per cent. is obtained, with a
possible benefit of about 47 per cent. This last is too high, however, as
some of the worms which leave do so enly temporarily and to recover,
after which they return. We also find thatthe young worms are much
more susceptible, or at any rate less able to resist the effect of the pyre-
thrum. Consequently of the worms killed, the great majority were half
or less than half grown. From the behavior of the grown or nearly
44
mature worms in all the experiments, itis evident that they strongly
resist the effects of the powder, and if ample opportunity is given to
escape to the ground or ioose earth, may often entirely overcome its
influence and recover. Whether on corn or cotton, it must be admitted
that the protection is only temporary. This is shown by the fact that
in some of the experiments undisturbed individuals entered bolls with
impunity soon after dusting and after the first worm had retreated, or
even the same worm going back and feeding upon the boll from which
it had been driven, presumably, by the pyrethrum.
As has been noted, there is a certain benefit derived from the appli-
cation of the powder to young corn before tasseling. It is just to con-
sider that the pyrethrum was at a disadvantage, in that it was not ap-
plied early enough to catch the worms before they had become so
nearly grown or had entered far into the bud. Ifit had been applied
earlier a much greater per cent of the worms then present would
doubtless have been destroyed. Such being the case, the use of pyre-
thrum may prove to bea decided advantage in cooperation with the plan
of planting corn as traps for egg deposition, and hence the worms
when these are hatched. This can be done by thoroughly applying
pyrethrum of about one-half or third dilution with lime to the corn.
plants at a time when the worms are found to be about half grown.
By doing this the time of cutting out corn to destroy the worms it con-
tains will be delayed for a time longer, and hence also be exposed to the
depositions of the moth for a greater period. Experiments in this
direction will be taken up extensively this season.
The powder being thus limited in its efficacy, especially on cotton, it
is not surprising that decoctions of the powder prove to be even less
effective. As will be noted from thé experiments with the decoctions
when compared with the record of the checks upon the same, little
more was accomplished than to temporarily arrest the feeding of the
worms. Itis true some of the worms changed bolls during the after-
noon, and others which were in bolls came out, but it must also be
noted that the same action was taken by other worms which were un-
der observation and which had not been sprayed. There is some ques-
tion, therefore, that the decoction was directly accountable for the
action of the worms upon which it was sprayed.
This doubt is further increased from the fact that it was often noted
in worms which had been marked for observation that they very fre-
quently changed bolls or even plants during midday or afternoon.
OTHER VEGETABLE INSECTICIDES.
The work upon vegetable insecticides was assigned almost entirely to
Prof. Jerome MeNeill, Fayetteville, Arkansas. He has been as unfor-
tunate as myself in being unable to obtain plenty of Boll Worms to ex-
periment with. Progress was further impeded by unpropitious weather.
For this reason the greater portion of the time was occupied in collecting
45
such roots, plants, flowers, and fruits as might, upon experimentation,
prove to have insecticidal properties. This was undertaken with a view
of discovering if possible some product easily grown in the infested
regions through the cultivation of which it might be possible to pro-
vide for an insecticide which would be cheap and accessible to all.
From these various collections Professor McNeiil has made numerous
extracts, emulsions, and decoctions, some of which he informs me are
quite promising, and which are on hand to experiment with when oppor-
tunity offers. As this part of the work has, therefore, not been com-
pleted for the reasons stated, I shall at present give only a summary of
Professor McNeill’s letters and report of progress during the past sea-_
son.
(1) Alcoholic extracts and decoctions have thus far been, on the
whole, unsatisfactory.
(2) Extracts and extract emulsions of the various vegetables or parts
thereof seem to be promising. Of these kerosene, kerosene ether, gas-
oline and benzine extracts, and emulsions of pyrethrum are perhaps
most important.
(3) Of the plants experimented with, Lobelia syphilitica, L. cardi-
nalis, probably L. inflata, and Arisema triphyllum are among the more
important as giving promise of good results. They have been shown
to possess insecticide properties, but to what extent and how best
utilized remains an open question,
(4) An exceedingly dilute solution of potassium cyanide is an effi-
cient insecticide, but its effects on the cotton plants has not yet been
determined.
METEOROLOGICAL CONSIDERATIONS.
Of these rain, humidity, and temperature are the principal phenom-
eva to consider. What relation these may have to the various stages
of the transformations of Heliothis, the following tabulated data may
serve to indicate. The averages of humidity and temperature are given
for the entire period covered by each example:
PAB TR IX.
EGG.
| Dura: Rain, Temperature.| Humidity.
When deposited. When hatched, nam ber’
of days. Max.) Min. | Max.) Min,
° c ° °
Night, Aug. 5-6........ | Aug. 10, 10a.m........ ie 34 | 2| 93 74 88 56
Night, Ang. 8-9........ f Ane, 1026 Venn soe ae oscce= on | 0 | 94 73 87 63
Night, Aug. 14-16...... b Anrst8 O'acmie:.-sce,cyoa545- 3 | 1 BO Wer 72 lark) (*)
Night, Aug. 15-16...... AGTES ICI Eas nee oSgscaccOre 22 0 | 84 | NENA, ()
Night, Sept. 19-20...... Sept. 24, evening ........--.- 5 | 5 |p 79 Cri GC) (*)
Night, Sept. 20-21...-.. Sept..25, morning. =.-22+2--2. 44 | Tales 64) (*) C)
Night, Sept. 21-22...... Sept. 25, morning...........- 33 | 4 | 77 67 | (=) (*)
* Data for humidity at Holly Springs, Miss , could not be obtained. The first two are from Shreve-
port, La., where eggs were under observation.
TABLE ]X—Continued.
LARVA.
| : | Rain, | Temperature.) Humidity.
When hatched. When matured. patie | number ;————
* | of days. | Max. | Min. | Max. | Min.
= | |
| ° | ° o | °
J APIEAR SS leer SApsoib ar aoe oc JRO RSE ZB ie eee peasone 15 | TSF ol 71 &8 65
IAT OU Ss eScinte se ser abac- August 25 (died) .-...--. 16 2 91 71 88 67
PANT OMS LG) ae cetn nea ames September 7 ...-..-..... 21 | 6 82 GB | ee ptete | teeta
JOS Ws octneecoscon Jae September 12.....-.....- 26 fey 82 (ie) Neseee eel fe cee
September 25........-----.| October 12 (two molts) -. 18 7 | 73 G05) Societe eroocen
PUPA.
| TYNE Rain, | Temperature.| Humidity.
When pupated. | When issued. tion | number |-
of days. | Max. | Min. | Max. | Min.
| | |
| ° ° ° o
Atagrst. O b-8ct bot erat = Argent 20 betare sete ae tee hee Osa Onl) Feaa 71 89 65
Aucnsty2s sane asecee sees September 2.2.2. ..-....<: 10 2 91 68 | 82 60
JNO DS AP eopeepssamss asec | September 12.--.---.._-. 15 5 81 68 | cescda elt eecece
JAMES) Soshesssessessete September 13............ 16 6 80 Hell ae sicoae) Wagon ee
OS RENE RP Ae) Saspnco pe aeeaeoon NG PLeMUCE Gleeeesana =: 19 8 79 GR setets tll erent
AMeUst 28 <sescceccs ccs (o=5 | September 17......-.....- 20 8 79 67 |. 2-5 Bee
AN OUSiioleepsaee=peees sae: September 27............ | 27 14 79 GGt eres eyo sates
September 4 ............... | September 20.-....-..-- 16 7 80 OT tee eel sede
SSplemperd . est so. see as September 30.....-....-.- | -@ 22 15 | 79 oe eee Beneecc
| |
These data may be studied in the order given.
Eeo.—For the first two lots the temperature is the same with only a
slight difference in humidity, but during the period of the first lot rain
fell for a part of the time on 3 successive days; during the second
none fell at all. Under these conditions the duration of the first lot
was 1} days longer. The period covered by the next two lots of Au-
gust 15 and August 16, furnish about the same conditions with the same
results. The next three lots were deposited much later in the season,
had lower temperature and excessive rains, 6.37 inches having fallen
from September 22 to 25 inclusive. The duration of the egg state as a
result was much prolonged. There is no check on this lot, however,
since no eggs under direct observation were hatched during that sea-
son with the same low temperature but without the excessive rains.
From general observations, however, there is no question but that low
temperatures also prolong the duration of the egg state, the same as
the rains seem to have done in each of the two first lots mentioned.
Larva.—tThe first two larve were reared under almost exactly similar
conditions and, as will be seen, matured almost at the same time. As
compared with those that follow the duration is of interest, as there
was but little rain and a high temperature. The next two were worms
hatched from the same lot of eggs, and, as is seen from the table, were
reared under exactly similar conditions. Despite this, the difference in
time of maturing is 5 days. This can only be accounted for by the pe-
culiarities of thespecies,such as have been previously discussed. The
difference, as compared with the two preceding, was principally due to
the much lower temperature. If, with the abundant rain during that
47
period, the temperature had been maintained as high as in the first, the
worms would have matured more rapidly. This is verified by noticing
the retardation of growth of the last worm recorded in the table. This
worm had only molted twiceafter 18 days. Thetemperature during this
period was 18° lower than that of the first two and 9° lower than that
of the second two. General observations established this fact concern-
ing the feeding of the worms, viz: that a moderate amount of rain
with high temperature was least suited to their most vigorous feeding
and growth, and consequently their earliest maturity. The same
amount of rain, however, with a much lower temperature, is as much
a disadvantage, and increases the retarding effect, which the lowertem-
perature itself would have had. Butagain, high, dry temperatures are
avoided by the worms, which during that time feed less vigorously,
and thereby prolong their larval existence some.
Light frosts began (both in Mississippi and Louisiana) as early as
October 27, and were more or less continuous from that time on. At
Holly Springs, Mississippi, a killing frost occurred October 31, which
froze and entirely blackened the cotton plants. At Shreveport, Louisi-
ana, however, the cotton was not entirely frozen and blackened until
about December 4. As has been previously noted, worms of nearly all
stages were found at both localities a short time previous to the killing
frosts, by which latter the younger ones were quite certainly killed.
Pupa.—For the first of the pup recorded it is found that a mod-
erate amount of rain with high temperature shortens the duration of
the pupal state. From the remaining ones it is found that with but
little variation in the low temperature, which alone would have pro-
longed the duration, the excessive rains greatly added to the delay.
In general, then, it may be stated that the duration of the various
stages of Heliothis are shortest under high temperatures with moder-
ate rainfall; longer, except in egg and pupa, when ahigh, dry tempera-
ture is maintained; longer still with much lower temperature; and yet
again longer with lower temperature and excessive rains.
Some atmospheric conditions also noticeably influence the behavior
of the moths. The hot weather, dry, or somewhat rainy, seems to have
‘but little diverting effect on the habits of the moths. When the tem-
perature is much lower, and is accompanied with much rain, the moth
adapts itself to the condition of things. The excessive rains last sea-
son continued late in the evening and into the night. This of course
covers the period of feeding and deposition. This seemed to have the
effect of inducing the moths to fly and feed more freely during the mid-
dle of the afternoon, when it was clear and warmer. When the rainy
spell began to be a protracted one, the females were frequently seen at
3 o'clock during the warm sunshiny afternoons busily engaged in de-
positing their eggs. The instances in which deposition was observed —
in daytime were confined mostly to this period, though some were ob-
served under normal conditions. From this it follows that to a certain
48
extent, at least, the imagos adapt themselves to unfavorable conditions,
and that their period of egg deposition, on the whole, is not much in-
fluenced by such conditions. Their progeny, however, as has already
been noted, suffers materially.
As bearing on the abundance (or rather scarcity) of the Boll Worm
the past year, I quote from the report of Professor Fulton for 1590 as
follows: ‘‘The most important irregularities of the year were the un-
usually high temperature in January and February, with a marked
deficiency of temperature in March.” During the period of high tem-
perature in January, and especially February, it may be that many
of the moths issued. If so, the cold period in March quite likely
killed many of those which had issued. In the Red River section of
Louisiana the Red River overflowed badly in spring, and planting of
both corn and cotton was delayed until late in May and some in June.
This necessarily delayed finding suitable host plants for the moths
which had issued during April and May to deposit on, and doubtless a
large per cent of their progeny failed to survive. In some localities
also corn and cotton had been planted and was large enough for the
moths which had issued to deposit upon when the river overflowed. As
a result the corn and cotton both were drowned, or at any rate stunted
so that it was all plowed under and planted a second time. By this
process doubtless many of the first brood of worms were destroyed.
From these reasons the second brood and consequently all subsequent
broods were in all probability greatly reduced.
From all the information gathered through observers of the U.S.
Signal Service it is certain that the boll-worm depredations are much
more extensive in the southern portion of the cotton belt. There is,
therefore, no question but that the future work on the Boll Worm
should be carried on principally in that region.
INSECT DISEASES.
The work upon insect diseases has formed an important part of the
investigation. At the present time, however, it would be unwarranted
and hazardous to enter largely into a report upon the work done and in
contemplation, or to draw conclusions. I shall therefore give but little
more than a synopsis of the present condition of the work, and will re-
serve acknowledgments to those who have contributed in any way fora
more detailed report in the future.
The first thing to be done in preparing for such work was to equip
and arrange for a bacteriological laboratory. Some time was spent at
Shreveport, Louisiana, in coéperation with Dr. Booth (who assumed
charge of the work for the season) towards accomplishing this end.
Hot-air and steam sterilizers were designed and a good workman soon
had them in condition for use. The other supplies immediately neces-
sary were ordered. These have been added to as the progress of the
49
work demanded, until now quite a complete laboratory has been fitted
up, sufficient to carry on to a finish all the work and experimentation
which it will be possible to execute.
The diseased insects and worms from which the cultures on hand
have been made were obtained from various sources from entomological
workers throughout the country.
Extensive and conclusive experiments with the insect diseases on hand
were not made for the same reasons stated by Professor McNeill. The
status of this portion of the work is, therefore, much the same as the
latter, viz, ready for extensive and thorough work during the approach-
ing season. The few observations made are encouraging, but do not
warrant any definite and positive statements at this time.
Itseems highly probable that the Boll Worm is readily susceptible to
the cabbage-worm disease. Dr. Booth in one instance fed Boll Worms
upon diseased cabbage worms, which Boll Worms later died. Cul-
tures were obtained from these dead Boll Worms. Mounts from the
cultures were made later and studied with a microscope. Micrococci
were present in great abundance. At Holly Springs, Mississippi, some
Boll Worms were accidentally placed in a breeding cage in which dead
cabbage worms had been temporarily placed. A number of these Boll
Worms died at various intervals. The dead worms were sent to Dr.
Booth, who made cultures from their dead and decaying bodies. Ex.
amination of mounts made from these cultures again showed micro.
cocci in abundance. The above evidence is not direct and positive; is
merely indicative, and at best unscientific. It consists simply of obser-
vations noted during the progress of the work, and simply indicates that
scientific experiments may prove successful.
Though no experiments could be made upon the Boll Worms with
other insect diseases, the interesting and important discovery was made
at Holly Springs, Mississippi, that the Boll Worm itself is subject to a
disease. The disease is not confined to the larval stage, but has been
obtained from all the stages of the species. Two females issued on the
night of September 14. On the second day, it was noticed that the
moths were rather sluggish and that the abdomen was greatly dis-
tended. By the next day the females were absolutely helpless, and the
abdomen so decomposed that it barely held together while pinning the
moth. The last signs of life of the moth consist of peculiar alternate
openings and closings, contracting and expanding of the anus and gen-
ital organs. At the time it did not occur to me that it was a disease of
the species, and it was only the peculiar manner of the dying of the
moth which had attracted my attention. Hence it was that the moths
were simply pinned and placed in insect boxes. This was done Septem-
ber 17. November 28, the abdomen of the moth was accidentally
broken off and the internal parts were found to be partially liquid.
From tbis partially liquid portion tubes of beef broth were inoculated,
as also from a whitish, waxy, gelatinous substance in the extreme poste-
23024—No, 24-——4
ye a
Fe Teo
rior end of the abdomen. A culture was obtained from the waxy portion,
and the microbe is different from any of the others studied. It is pos-
sible that the cultures obtained from the moths after so long a time are
non-pathogenic microbes, instead of the one which produced the disease
of the imago. No positive statements will therefore be given until ex-
periments have been made. Cultures from the egg, larve and pupe are
in stock, and, so far as examined, are all exactly alike. This disease
can not have been mistaken for any other, since it was noted before any
of the others were on hand. Thus, having probably found the Boll
“Worm subject to a disease perhaps peculiar to itself, it remains to be
seen whether it is contagious and easily disseminated for infection.
In addition to this, a disease of each of the two larve whose ravages
are easily mistaken for those of the Boll Worm was also discovered at
Holly Springs, Mississippi. The two species are Prodenia lineatella and
the undetermined Noctuid spoken of. In fact the disease of each was
so prevalent, that but few of the worms were found, and of those found
all but one, which had been placed in alcohol, died of the disease. No
great apprehensions need therefore be had concerning these two species.
Diseases of Agrotis messoria, Nephelodes minians, as also of the large
tomato worm, are at hand in the form of cultures.
Cultures from all these sources were begun in August, 1890. By the
regular methods for such work pure cultures have now been obtained
and are transferred from time to time to fresh media, in order to con-
tinue the healthy growing germs through the winter and in good con-
dition for the approaching season’s experimental work. In this way a
b
(
vast number of cultures in fine condition are on hand, and it is to be -
hoped that abundant opportunity may be offered this season to execute
extensive and thorough experiments.
©
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labr22 2,
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